Robert Brocklesby Davis M.B.B.S. | |
|---|---|
| Superintendent ofCentral Institute of Psychiatry | |
| In office 11 March 1946 (1946-03-11) – 24 March 1955 (1955-03-24) | |
| Preceded by | Capt. C.W.E. Peters |
| Succeeded by | Dr. L. P Verma |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1911-12-27)27 December 1911 |
| Died | 7 October 1980(1980-10-07) (aged 68) Charlotteville,USA |
| Relations | Edith Turner (sister) Victor Turner (brother-in-law) |
| Education | Cambridge University |
| Awards | Padma Shri 1966 |
| Military career | |
| Rank | HonoraryLieutenant Colonel |
| Battles / wars | Battle of Shangshak |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Order 1944 |
| Medical career | |
| Institutions | Central Institute of Psychiatry |
Robert Brocklesby Davis (27 December 1911 – 7 October 1980) was a british-born psychiatrist known for his contributions tomental health care and education in India.
Davis was born on 27 December 1911 inAmritsar to Dr. George Brocklesby Davis, a missionary doctor, and Lucy Howard, a missionary schoolteacher.[citation needed] He was the eldest of eight children.[citation needed] In 1919, amidst political unrest againstbritishers inBritish India, his family relocated toEly,England.[citation needed]
He was educated atStowe School inBuckinghamshire and earned aB.A. inAnatomy,Physiology, andPsychology fromCambridge University in 1932.[1] Davis completed hisM.R.C.S. &L.R.C.P. in 1935 and hisM.B.B.S. from Cambridge in 1936.[1] During his house appointments at London Hospital in 1935-36, he received the London Hospital Prize in Clinical Medicine and Surgery.[citation needed]
Davis joined theIndian Medical Service in 1936 as aLieutenant, becoming aCaptain in 1937.[2] His interest in psychiatry led to his appointment as Psychiatric Specialist for theNorthern Command from 1938 to 1942.[1]
DuringWorld War II, Davis served in theBritish Indian Army and rose to the rank ofLieutenant Colonel.[3] He commanded the 80th Indian Field Ambulance (Parachute) and led an evacuation of injured soldiers through the jungles ofNagaland under enemy fire.[3] For his courage, he was awarded theDistinguished Service Order in 1944.[4]
In 1946, Davis became the Superintendent of theEuropean Mental Hospital inRanchi.[5] Post-independence, he facilitated the renaming of the hospital to the Interprovincial Mental Hospital and opened it to Indian patients.[1] He reorganized the hospital, increasing its capacity to 600 beds, and later, it was renamed theCentral Institute of Psychiatry.[1] During his time at the hospital, the renownedBengali poetKazi Nazrul Islam was briefly treated before being sent to Europe for further care.[6] Davis introduced several firsts in Indian psychiatry:
He conducted research on cultural and epidemiological differences in psychiatric disorders among Indian patients.[1] From 1947 to 1950, Davis traveled toLondon periodically, earning a Diploma in Psychological Medicine in 1950 while working part-time at theMaudsley Hospital and Institute of Neurology, London.[1]
In 1955, Davis left Central Institute of Psychiatry and, along with his wife Aleyamma Eapen, established the Kishore Nursing Home, later renamed the Davis Institute of Neuropsychiatry, in Ranchi.[7] The nursing home was named after his friend, Maharaj Kumar Raj Kishore Shahdeo.[8] Aleyamma, a trained psychiatric nurse, had been the matron of the European Mental Hospital and the first Indian nurse sent to London for psychiatric training.[1] Together, they built one of India’s leading private psychiatric hospitals.[7]
Davis co-founded theIndian Psychiatric Society in 1947, serving as its first Secretary until 1953 and as President in 1954.[8] He also contributed to drafting theMental Health Act, 1987.[9] Davis was a Fellow of theRoyal College of Psychiatrists, UK, and represented India at international conferences, including the World Congresses of Psychiatry inParis (1950) andMontreal (1961).[1] Davis became an Indian citizen in 1948.[1] In recognition of his contributions to psychiatry and mental health, he was awarded thePadma Shri by theGovernment of India in 1966.[10]
Robert Brocklesby Davis died on 7 October 1980 in Charlotteville, USA, after a suddencoronary thrombosis while visiting his sister.[11] To honor his legacy, the R.B. Davis Oration was established by the Indian Psychiatric Society – Eastern Zonal Branch.[12] This oration is delivered annually at the society's conference.[12]