Ronald Illingworth

Born in Harrogate in 1909, Ronald Stanley Illingworth was a pioneer in both the teaching and practice of paediatrics.

In 1947 he was appointed the first Chair of Child Health at the University of Sheffield. By the time he retired in 1975, Professor Illingworth had built up an outstanding centre of excellence with an international reputation.

Professor Illingworth pioneered many changes within paediatrics which are nowadays taken for granted.

In an age where child patients were routinely isolated from their family, with visiting hours restricted to an hour or two per week, he believed in the natural right of parents to be with their children for as long as they wished, and to accompany them to operating theatres prior to anaesthesia.

Professor Illingworth’s remarkable flair for both the spoken and written word made him an excellent teacher. Among his many publications are:

• The Normal Child (1953, ten editions)
• The Development of the Infant and Young Child (1960, nine editions)
• Common Symptoms of Disease in Children (1967, nine editions)

Watch the video below to hear from some of those who have been inspired by The Normal Child.

Tell us your story

The collection currently consists of over 500 books.

Have you been inspired by a publication by a member of University staff?

Throughout the last year we have been canvassing staff, students and alumni to garner nominations for books by our Sheffield Academics that have inspired, motivated or informed.

Tell us your story and help shape our showcase by making a book nomination.