Norman R. James F.F.A.R.A.C.S., a pioneer of high quality anaesthesia in Australia

Abstract

Dr Norman R. James was a multi-talented, highly accomplished clinician, teacher and innovator broadly recognized on three continents. In the United Kingdom, he served in London's Emergency Medical Service during World War II and was dubbed "England's foremost exponent of regional anaesthesia". In his native land, he was the first Director of Anaesthetics at The Royal Melbourne Hospital with many innovations to his credit including a serious effort to reform anaesthetic practice in Australia. Dr M. T. "Pepper" Jenkins, the charismatic founder of anesthesiology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, recruited him to Dallas in 1960, where he taught the art and science of anesthesiology at Parkland Memorial Hospital until his retirement in 1974. He died in 1987 and is buried in Winnsboro, Texas. A brief story of his life and career follows.