Interview conducted by Dr Christopher Derrett and Mr Adam Wilkinson, for the History of Modern Biomedicine Research Group, 26 May 2016, at the New Forest Inn, Totton. Transcribed by Mrs Debra Gee, and edited by Mr Alan Yabsley. The project management and technical support (filming) were undertaken by Mr Adam Wilkinson.
Mr Brian Biles (1926-2016) served in the Royal Army Medical Corps during World War II before working at the Medical Research Council (MRC) Industrial Medicine Unit at the London Hospital. He went on to pursue a career as an electron microscopist and photographic expert at the MRC Air Pollution Unit, before moving on to the MRC Toxicology Unit, a position from which he retired.
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 History of Modern Biomedicine Research Group’s website:
Access to the transcript of this video interview and its related material:
History of Modern Biomedicine Interviews (Digital Collection), items e2017012-e2017022.
Citation of the current clip: Derrett C, Wilkinson A (intvrs); Yabsley A, Wilkinson A (prods) (2017) Biles, Brian: 01 - Childhood, schooling and starting out in science (26-May-2016). History of Modern Biomedicine Interviews (Digital Collection), item e2017013. London: Queen Mary University of London.
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
