Robert George Hogarth: the Trent And
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THE TRENT AND I GO WANDERING BY Robert George Hogarth Lord Webb-Johnson, in his forward, described Robert George Hogarth’s autobiography, The Trent and I go wandering by as his fireside chat as he reminiscences in stories of his life and ultimately his work as consultant surgeon for the Nottingham General Hospital. Coming as it did, it is a timely autobiography as it was published three years after the ending of World War II when, as hinted to in the final chapter, food rationing was still very much part of people’s daily lives. Also, it was published the year of the inception of the National Health Service, which, as you will see as you read through his autobiography, Hogarth was a staunch supporter of. Apart from his many sporting activities and the many influential people he made friends with, Hogarth charts, in detail, the progress and development of the Nottingham General Hospital from his time, which began in 1894. Apart from charting the hospitals development and expansion, Hogarth also describes those to whom the hospital owes a great debt of gratitude that is those who gave generously their time and money to the expansion of the hospitals services. For example, Colonel Sir Charles Seely, Hogarth describes him as a person with a distinct personality; a great autocrat, very stylish in his appearance and generally dressed in a black tailcoat, and wearing white spats. It was said, as chairman of the hospital board Seely had a great idea of looking ahead and did practically what he liked at the Hospital, and as a long-term policy he bought up all the property surrounding the Hospital, by paying for it himself. It must be borne in mind that Hogarth was himself influential in introducing services to the Nottingham General Hospital as well. Services, although greatly advanced, benefit people still to this day, that being Radiotherapy. Originally set up in 1901 for the treatment of certain skin cancers, the centre, in 1948 was renamed, by the Duke of Portland as the Hogarth Radiotheraputic Centre. Hogarth was also influential in the building of the General Hospitals Pay Bed Wing and after his death in 1953, in his will, he left his home to the Nottingham General Hospital 48, The Ropewalk in Nottingham’s Park Estate to be used as a hostel for patients coming from areas outside of Nottingham for radiotherapy treatment. It was this hostel that was to become the catalyst for the Patients Hotel, which opened its doors in 1994 at the Nottingham City Hospital. Although originating from the Nottingham General Hospital, the name Hogarth perpetuates still to this day with a ward bearing his name at the Nottingham City Hospital. Finally, Hogarth’s autobiography ends in 1948, apart from the year of publication was also the year of his eightieth birthday. Therefore, apart from describing the expansion of the Nottingham General Hospital, he also describes it as a very modern hospital, ready to take on the challenges of the new National Health Service. The Nottingham General Hospital finally closed its doors in 1993! Paul R. Swift B.A. Honorary Archivist, Nottingham University Hospitals N.H.S. Trust Forward By the President of the Royal College of Surgeons I am very glad to have the opportunity of writing a Forward to Robert Hogarth's story of his life and work. Only he himself could tell it, and he indulges in reminisces in such a charming chatty way that you almost feel you are sitting with him by his own fireside. It is given to few to be blessed with so much affection and gratitude in his own city and, at the same time, to earn the admiration and respect of his professional brethren throughout the country. The reasons in Hogarth's case are not far to seek. He loves his fellow men, and is himself a lovable character. He is modest, fair-minded, versatile, takes part in most things, and is fond of sport and is a good sportsman. He has done things which the majority of men only achieve in their dreams. Hogarth surgical training was of the very best, for nothing can equal the experience gained in resident hospital appointments. It takes a conscientious man of high ideals and determination however, to devote six years, with little or no remuneration, to obtaining training under supervision before offering his services to the public as an independent specialist and consultant. This Hogarth did, and thus, after some experience in general practice in addition, he became a great clinician, a surgeon of sound judgement, and an expert and dextrous operator. He knew, as Kipling said, that his calling would exact the most that he could give – full knowledge, exquisite judgement, and skill in the highest, to be put forth, not that any self-chosen moment, but daily that the need of others. Hogarth, therefore, first of all got a very training and then kept himself up-to-date – and sitting mind and body for his life's work. Thus he brought air and cheer into the sickroom, and often enough, though not so often as he wished, brought healing. To modify Robert Louis Stevenson to fit Robert Hogarth: – "He's faulted neither more or less In his great task of happiness; He's always moved among his race And shown a glorious morning face; So beams from happy human eyes Have moved him much; and morning skies, Books, and his work, and summer rain Ne’er knocked upon his heart in vain." Hogarth has been honoured by his King, his friends, his fellow citizens, and his peers in his profession. There is a visible evidence of his zealous service to Nottingham in the extensions of her institutions, notably in the Private Block of the General Hospital, and in the Radiotherapeutic Institute which bears his name. He was President of the Hospital he has served so faithfully and well for over half a century. He is past President of the Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club, and is President of the Nottingham Forest Football Club. His year as President of the British Medical Association was a memorable one, and the reprinting of his remarkable presidential address in this book of reminisces will be widely welcomed. Hogarth was elected to the Council of the Royal College of Surgeons by the vote of the Fellows in all parts of the world. Thus he received the true reward of the dearly prized, because unpurchasable, acknowledgement of his fellow-craftsman. As you will gather from this book, Hogarth has had a busy, useful, and a happy life. More no man can expect. A greater blessing the world cannot bestow. On all his journey he has been blessed with the companionship of a wonderful helpmeet. Together they have shared success; and together they have borne trials and sorrows. Thus, Hogarth has the additional joy of being able to echo with a thankful heart. "Steel-true and blade straight, the great artificer made my mate." Webb-Johnson. “The Trent and I Go Wandering By” Nottingham General Hospital Stories of over fifty years of my life in Nottingham By R.G. Hogarth (1863 – 1953) C.B.E., D.L., J.P., F.R.C.S., HON. LL.D. EDIN Chapter 1 Early days at the General Hospital It was in 1894 that I applied for the post of one of the Residents at the General Hospital. The night before the election, that which I wish to face those who proved to be my long-term employers, it was my good fortune to be invited to dinner by a character of who all men on the surgical side, so it seems to me, has stood out alone from the many who have held position on the Honorary Staff. It was Mr Anderson, whose remarkable personality you will find further mention. Since he and I had the same "Alma mater" in St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, Mr Anderson took somewhat more than official interest in my anxiety to join the General Hospital staff. It was the finality of that election which proved an occasion for me to realise – if I had not sensed this before – that here was a man of unusual make up "a curious man," I said to myself more than once, but a man, for all that, whom one could both admire and like. As we candidates nervously awaited the new verdict, the small assembly room door suddenly opened, and my friend Anderson, not very big, and with shoulders sloping so that the one was much lower than the other, popped in his head and with no additional word or signup pleasure said to me – "You've got it" – upon which he turned and slammed the door. I was particularly glad to have been selected – and if in the proof is required of this pudding, well – here I am still in Nottingham – still an interested adherent to "the General," and surrounded by most happy memories of those 53 years between. My experience of work as a Resident had already by that time been quite extensive, and my posts had included similar position in St Bartholomew's, London, and in the Royal Hospital at Wolverhampton; additionally I was already a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, a point which no doubt had weighed much in my favour before the Board, who had a large number of candidates from whom to select their man. Let it be added that the fairness of elections to all such posts in those days was opened to great question, and in many of the public appointments qualifications and experience were often outweighed by personal likes and dislikes, with prejudices and intrigue sometimes playing their part.