Psychiatric Bulletin (2004) 28: 67. doi: 10.1192/pb.28.2.67-a
© 2004 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
Psychiatric Bulletin (2004) 28: 67
© 2004 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
Harry Stalker
Formerly Physician Superintendent at Murray Royal and Murthly Hospitals, Consultant Psychiatrist and Honorary Lecturer at Dundee University
John C. Scott
Harry Stalker died, aged 90, on 19 June 2003. He was born in Edinburgh,
educated at Daniel Stewarts College and he graduated in Medicine in 1935 from
Edinburgh University. He obtained a DipPsych in 1938, an MD(Commended) in
1939, FRCPE in 1943 and FRCPsych in 1972. He was elected a Commonwealth fund
Fellow in 1947-48, which time he spent in the psychiatric services in New
York.
He began his career in psychiatry at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital under D.
K. Henderson (later Sir David) and was appointed Lecturer in Psychiatry, a
position he held from 1938 to 1950, and served as Deputy Physician
Superintendent from 1942 until 1950. After 2 years as a consultant at Cane
Hill Hospital, Surrey, he was appointed Physician Superintendent at Murthly
Hospital, Perthshire, and 10 years later, in 1962, at Murray Royal Hospital,
Perth.
After suffering a severe sub-arachnoid haemorrhage, from which he made an
excellent recovery, he resigned his management responsibilities, but continued
as consultant until he retired in
1977.
In his formative years in psychiatry he wrote papers on ‘Masquerading
in Uniform’ and ‘Nocturnal enuresis’, and the major
influences in his life were D. K. Henderson and Adolf Meyer, whose views on
clinical practice were incorporated into his own practice. He also strongly
supported the concept of the hospital as a therapeutic community. Another
significant influence was his wife, Elspeth, whom he married in 1950, and who
was very much the creator of the artistic and cultural changes they brought to
the hospital community.
His career in psychiatry spanned more than 40 years - a large part being
before the introduction of the NHS in 1948.
Harry was a great lover of books, and he built up a large personal library
as well as an excellent medical library at the Murray Royal Hospital. In
recognition of this, it was with due ceremony renamed The Stalker Library. He
contributed to the publication of the first history of the hospital 1827-1927
and researched and wrote the history covering the period from 1927 to
1977.
His interests, both civic and professional, included marriage guidance, the
Franco-Scottish Society, history of medicine, The Howard League, local theatre
and the Probus Club. He was also a collector of art, in its many forms.
In his clinical work, he was invariably patient, tolerant and
understanding. His practice was based on the twin pillars of good
history-taking and detailed physical examination. He particularly enjoyed
Liaison Psychiatry and psycho-somatic medicine.
He leaves his two daughters, Kirsten and Elizabeth, and a much loved
grandson, Jamie.
