Earl J. King

Its creation owes much to the influence of Professor Earl J King who was Professor of Chemical Pathology at the Postgraduate Medical School in the University of London between 1942 and 1962. King is particularly known for his work in clinical enzymology and colorimetric methods. Although he had no medical qualifications he was endowed with a Honorary MD degree.

His influence within the Biochemical Society saw clinical papers filling their meeting programme and as chairman of the clinical biochemistry section he saw the inclusion of the topic at the 1st Congress of Biochemistry held in Cambridge in 1949. This was the first time that clinical biochemistry appeared in its own right at an international meeting. In 1951 the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) set up a commission with King as its president.

IFCC and the UK Association of Clinical Biochemists were both formed 50 years ago, largely as a result of the leadership and initiative of one man, Earl J. King of London.

Its creation owes much to the influence of Professor Earl J King who was Professor of Chemical Pathology at the Postgraduate Medical School in the University of London between 1942 and 1962.King is particularly known for his work in clinical enzymology and colorimetric methods.Although he had no medical qualifications he was endowed with a Honorary MD degree.

His influence within the Biochemical Society saw clinical papers filling their meeting programme and as chairman of the clinical biochemistry section he saw the inclusion of the topic at the 1st Congress of Biochemistry held in Cambridge in 1949.This was the first time that clinical biochemistry appeared in its own right at an international meeting.In 1951 the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) set up a commission with King as its president.