R.D. Lawrence and the formation of the Diabetic Association

The history of the (British) Diabetic Association is bound up with the life of Dr R.D. Lawrence, its co-founder and first Chairman. Thus the story begins with a review of his early life and experience. He himself committed some memories to paper, in autobiographical context, to which he gave the title A Splendid Life, and this review draws freely on those unpublished notes, with the permission of his sons. Unfortunately, many records, letters and documents were destroyed when the flat of his secretary, the late Miss Lilian Pearce, was damaged by the 1987 hurricane storms, and later vandalized while she was in hospital. Academically brilliant, with his heart set on becoming a surgeon, Robin Lawrence was diagnosed as having diabetes in 1920, at the age of 28. The poor prognosis lead him to set up practice in Florence, where he could at least enjoy the splendours of Italian culture. His health deteriorated badly during the winter of 1922, but alerted to the introduction of insulin therapy by Dr. G.A. Harrison, he returned to King's College Hospital, London and received his first injection of insulin on 31 May 1923. Thereafter, he devoted his life to the understanding of the disease, and the welfare of those affected by it. Together with his patient, the author and scientist H.G. Wells, Robin Lawrence was responsible for the formation of the Diabetic Association, the first patient-oriented association to be established in the United Kingdom. Historical data are taken from early issues of the Diabetic Journal and minutes of meetings to which the author has been given access.