Geoffrey Keynes

British surgeon and author

Geoffrey Keynes in 1957

Sir Geoffrey Langdon Keynes (25 March 1887 – 5 July 1982) was a prominent British surgeon, medical researcher, and bibliophile. He made significant contributions to the field of breast cancer surgery and was also known for his work as a literary scholar, particularly on the poet William Blake.

Early life and education

Geoffrey Keynes was born in Cambridge, England, into a family of intellectuals. He was the younger brother of the economist John Maynard Keynes. Geoffrey was educated at Eton College and later attended Pembroke College, Cambridge, where he studied natural sciences. He went on to train in medicine at St Bartholomew's Hospital in London.

Medical career

Keynes served as a surgeon during World War I, where he developed innovative techniques for blood transfusion. His work in this area was pioneering and laid the groundwork for modern transfusion medicine. After the war, he returned to St Bartholomew's Hospital, where he specialized in breast cancer surgery. Keynes was a proponent of breast-conserving surgery, advocating for less radical procedures than the standard mastectomy of the time.

World War II

During World War II, Keynes served as a consultant surgeon to the Royal Air Force. He was instrumental in developing mobile surgical units that could be deployed close to the front lines, significantly improving the survival rates of injured soldiers.

Keynes with military colleagues during World War II

Literary contributions

In addition to his medical career, Keynes was a noted bibliophile and scholar. He published extensively on the works of William Blake, editing and cataloging Blake's works and contributing to the revival of interest in Blake's art and poetry. Keynes's bibliographic work extended to other authors, including John Donne and Jane Austen.

Personal life

Keynes married Margaret Elizabeth Darwin, the daughter of Sir George Darwin and granddaughter of Charles Darwin, in 1917. They had four children. Keynes was knighted in 1955 for his services to medicine and literature.

Legacy

Sir Geoffrey Keynes's contributions to both medicine and literature have left a lasting impact. His advocacy for breast-conserving surgery influenced modern surgical practices, and his bibliographic work helped preserve and promote the literary heritage of several important English authors.

Related pages

• John Maynard Keynes
• William Blake
• Blood transfusion
• Breast cancer surgery