Jack Suchet
Jack Suchet | |
|---|---|
| Born | 10 May 1908 Johannesburg, South Africa |
| Died | 9 September 2001 (aged 93) England |
| Occupation(s) | Consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist |
| Known for | Worked with Sir Alexander Fleming on penicillin |
| Title | Dr |
| Spouse |
Joan Jarche
(m. 1943; died 1992) |
| Children | 3, including John and David |
| Relatives | James Jarché (father-in-law) |
Jack Suchet (10 May 1908 – 9 September 2001) was a South African-born English consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, who carried out research on the use of penicillin in the treatment of venereal disease with Sir Alexander Fleming in London. He was the father of television news journalist John Suchet and actor David Suchet.[1]
Early life
Suchet was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 1908 to Isidor Suchedowitz, a Lithuanian Jewish immigrant from Memel. His father, who had changed the family surname from Suchedowitz to Suchet, wanted Jack to go into business, and he studied Business Administration at the University of Cape Town in South Africa.
Suchet emigrated from South Africa to England in 1932.[1] He had to struggle initially, and he sold ice creams at Paddington Station, sold his own blood, played bridge for money, and carried out doping tests on greyhounds' saliva. The game of bridge remained his hobby of choice even in his retirement.
In 1933 Suchet started training as a medical student at St Mary's Hospital Medical School (the school is now part of Imperial College London). After being a junior resident, he chose to specialise in obstetrics and gynaecology.[1]
Career
Suchet worked at St Mary's Hospital in the department of obstetrics, and later as director of the department of venereology. During World War II, he worked with Sir Alexander Fleming on the use of penicillin for the treatment of venereal disease. He also worked with the Royal Army Medical Corps and later returned to St Mary's. In 1953, he became a consultant and started practice on Harley Street, as well as working in East London hospitals.[citation needed]
Personal life
In 1943, Suchet married Joan Jarché, daughter of Fleet Street photographer, James Jarché. They had three sons: Peter Suchet; John Suchet, the newsreader; and David Suchet, the actor. He was an atheist.[2]
References
- ^ a b c Fraser, Alasdair (24 November 2001). "Obituary of Jack Suchet:Obstetrician and gynaecologist who worked with Fleming on the role of penicillin in treating venereal disease". BMJ. 323 (7323): 1255. doi:10.1136/bmj.323.7323.1255. S2CID 220109519. Retrieved 25 September 2008.
- ^ "Suchet's father Jack, an atheist and eminent surgeon, emigrated from South Africa to England in the 1930s and never spoke about his family's past." 'Suchet traces Russian Jewish roots', The Press Association, 9 September 2008 (Retrieved 9 September 2008)
- 1908 births
- 2001 deaths
- 20th-century English medical doctors
- English obstetricians
- English gynaecologists
- English Jews
- English atheists
- Jewish atheists
- British medical researchers
- University of Cape Town alumni
- People from Johannesburg
- South African emigrants to the United Kingdom
- South African people of Lithuanian-Jewish descent