Dr Robert Greenhill Cochrane CMG MD FRCP DTM&H: Leprologist Par Excellence

Dr Robert Cochrane devoted his entire working life to the study and control of leprosy. Most of his working life was spent in India, with interludes in Britain and East Africa. He initiated epidemiological surveys of leprosy, was instrumental in the introduction of sulphones for the definitive therapy of the disease, and contributed significantly to the development of rehabilitation programmes for sufferers from the disease. He campaigned actively for altering social attitudes to leprosy and latterly was in favour of replacing the often pejorative term with that of Hansen’s disease. A devout Christian, he believed strongly in setting an example for others as an important means of introducing them to Christianity. At the same time, he was not a taciturn individual and had a well developed sense of humour.