Robert Edwards CBE FRS MAE
(1925-2013)
Member of the Academia Europaea, Fellow of the Royal Society, Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, and physiologist
Died aged 87
Wikidata WikipediaSir Robert Geoffrey Edwards CBE FRS MAE (27 September 1925 – 10 April 2013) was a British physiologist and pioneer in reproductive medicine, and in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) in particular. Along with obstetrician and gynaecologist Patrick Steptoe and nurse Jean Purdy, Edwards successfully pioneered conception through IVF, which led to the birth of Louise Brown on 25 July 1978. They founded the first IVF programme for infertile patients and trained other scientists in their techniques. Edwards was the founding editor-in-chief of Human Reproduction in 1986. In 2010, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine "for the development of in vitro fertilization".
DbPedia
Commemorated on 2 plaques
Human in-vitro fertilisation followed by the world's first successful pregnancy was performed at this hospital by Mr Patrick Steptoe, Dr Robert Edwards and their supporting staff in November 1977.
The Royal Oldham Hospital, Maternity Unit, Rochdale Road, Oldham, United Kingdom where they worked
Patrick Steptoe 1913-1988 Sir Robert Edwards 1925-2013 Jean Purdy 1945-1985 developed IVF, leading to the world's first 'test-tube baby' established a research laboratory here in 1971
Dr Kershaw’s Hospice, Oldham, United Kingdom where they worked (1971)