Edward Charles Dodds, 13 October 1899 - 16 December 1973

Abstract

Edward Charles Dodds, Baronet, for nearly 50 years one of the foremost medical biochemists of his day, becoming a President of the Royal College of Physicians, a Vice-President of the Royal Society and a Master of the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries of London, was born in Liverpool on 13 October 1899. He was the only child of Ralph Edward Dodds and Jane Dodds ( née Pack), who both had close connections going back over many years with Darlington, to which town Charles Dodds (the name by which he was always known) moved with his parents while he was still very young. At that time his father was in the retail footwear business. The family fortunes seem to have fluctuated considerably, and his father’s place of business to have changed more than once. Unfortunately Charles left no autobiographical notes and I am indebted to his son Ralph and his cousins the Misses Elinor Doris and Mabel Varley, who are artists now living at Malvern Wells. Charles had an aunt, Mrs Richmond, his father’s sister, who also lived in Darlington and whom they frequently visited even after the family had left for London. It was through Mrs Richmond that Charles met his future wife Constance Elizabeth Jordan, daughter of Mr J. T. and Mrs Katherine Jordan who were close neighbours and friends of Mrs Richmond. The Jordan family were well known business people in Darlington where they owned considerable property. Like Charles, Constance was an only child. They were married in 1923 and set up their first home in a flat in Maida Vale, London.