A little-known fact is that Alexander Fleming shared his Nobel Prize with Howard Florey and Ernst Chain. Although while Fleming first observed and named penicillin, it was Florey and Chain and a group of scientists working at the Dunn school in Oxford who developed it into a viable drug. 

One of the first patients was Albert Alexander, an Abingdon Policeman who had served in Newbury.  At the outbreak of World War II, he was assigned to the Force’s Mutual Aid Team in Southampton. He was injured and developed blood poisoning so he was transferred to the Radcliffe Infirmary in Oxford, where it was decided to treat him with Penicillin. He immediately showed a great improvement, but sadly not enough Penicillin had yet been isolated and he died on 15th March 1941. 

This talk covers the challenges faced by the scientists and the experiences of the first penicillin patients.

This talk is free to members of Berkshire Family History Society and we request a donation of £5 from non-members. Pre-booking is required because the meeting link will be e-mailed in advance. Booking ends one day before the event. 

To join this meeting you will need a computer device which has a microphone and speakers. Ideally, also a webcam.  You also need to be able to access e-mails from this device. First time users will be asked to download a small piece of software to join the meeting. The meeting link will be e-mailed to you in advance.  Technical help is available for those who need further assistance, please contact booking@berksfhs.org.uk.