Interview with Dr Jeffrey Aronson conducted by Professor Tilli Tansey, for the History of Modern Biomedicine Research Group, 25 April 2016, in the School of History, Queen Mary University of London. Transcribed by Mrs Debra Gee, and edited by Professor Tilli Tansey and Dr Apostolos Zarros. The project management and the technical support (filming and production) were undertaken by Mr Adam Wilkinson and Mr Alan Yabsley, respectively.
Dr Jeffrey Aronson DPhil FRCP HonFBPhS HonFFPM (b. 1947) trained in the University of Glasgow (1964-1973) and the Medical Research Council (MRC) Unit and University Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Oxford, under the late Professor David Grahame-Smith. He was Reader in Clinical Pharmacology at the University of Oxford, and Honorary Consultant Physician in the Oxford University Hospitals Trust until 2014, since when he has held honorary contracts as a Consultant Physician and Clinical Pharmacologist in Oxford. He was President of the British Pharmacological Society (2008-2009) and is now Emeritus President. He was Vice-Chairman of the Medicines Commission (2002-2005) and Editor-in-Chief of the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology (2003-2007). He has been Chairman of the British Pharmacopoeia Commission’s Expert Advisory Group on Nomenclature since 2006. He was a Member of the Formulary Committees of the British National Formulary from 2006 and the British National Formulary for Children from 2003, and is now a Member of the Advisory Board of the British National Formulary.
The History of Modern Biomedicine Research Group is funded by the Wellcome Trust, which is a registered charity (no. 210183). The current interview has been funded by the Wellcome Trust Strategic Award entitled “Makers of modern biomedicine: testimonies and legacy” (2012-2017; awarded to Professor Tilli Tansey).
The interview is part of the History of the Modern Biomedicine Interviews (Digital Collection).
Access to the ‘Drugs and pharmacologists’ thematic group of resources:
Access to the transcript of this video interview and its related material:
History of Modern Biomedicine Interviews (Digital Collection), items e2016055-e2016067.
Example of how to cite: Tansey E M (intvr); Yabsley A (prod) (2016) Aronson, Jeffrey: 01 - Childhood ambitions to be a doctor, and medical training (25-Apr-2016). History of Modern Biomedicine Interviews (Digital Collection), item e2016056. London: Queen Mary University of London.
Access to the transcript of a longer, audio interview:
Note: Video interviews are conducted following standard oral history methodology, and have received ethical approval (reference QMREC 0642). Video interview transcripts are edited only for clarity and factual accuracy. Related material has been deposited in the Wellcome Library.
© The Trustee of the Wellcome Trust, London, 2016
Dr Aronson has contributed to Wellcome Witness Seminars on Clinical Pharmacology in the UK, c. 1950-2000: Influences and institutions; Clinical Pharmacology in the UK, c. 1950-2000: Industry and Regulation; Drugs Affecting 5-HT Systems; Migraine: Diagnosis, Treatment and Understanding c.1960–2010; The Development of Narrative Practices in Medicine c.1960–c.2000
A copy of Dr Aronson's curriculum vitae is available here.
