Cyril Garnham


Percy Cyril Claude Garnham CMG FRS, was a British biologist and parasitologist. On his 90th birthday, he was called the "greatest living parasitologist".

Early life and education

He was born in London, the son of Percy Claude Garnham, and Edith née Masham, an accomplished violinist. In World War I, his father served as a lieutenant in the Royal Navy and died at Gallipoli in 1915. He was educated at Paradise School and St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, and graduated in medicine in 1925.

Career

Garnham created the subgenus Vinckeia of Plasmodium to accommodate the mammalian parasites other than those infecting primates, i.e. Plasmodium species infecting mammals other than primates.

Awards and honours

In 1965, Garnham was awarded the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene's Manson Medal, named in honour of Sir Patrick Manson. It is the RSTMH's highest honour and awarded triennially.

Personal life

In 1924, he married Esther Long Price; they had two sons and four daughters.