Dr. William Watson Buchanan (1920-2006)
Born: July 4th, 1930 in Glasgow, Scotland. Parents: James Deans Buchanan and Helen Parker Watson.
Eldest of three children. Elder brother to the late Dr. Keith Buchanan of Northern Ireland and survived by Ronald Buchanan.
Married: Margaret Marion MacVicar of North Uist on March 14th, 1958. Children: Alan, James and Helen.
Education: Thornliebank Primary School and the Shawlands Senior Academy in Glasgow.
Graduated from Glasgow University in 1954, winning the distinguished MacFarlane Prize in Medicine. MB. CH.B. MD with Commendation
Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Glasgow, 1968
Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, 1969
Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada, 1979
Fellow of the American College of Physicians, 1983
Honourary fellow of the American College of Rheumatology, 1991
Honourary Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, 2002
Emeritus Professor of Medicine McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario Canada.
Established the Centre for Rheumatic Diseases in Glasgow which quickly became the Mecca for young Rheumatologists to train from around the globe.
Emigrated to Canada on Robert Burns Day January 25th 1979 with wife and three children. Dr. Buchanan created a Rheumatology Unit at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada where he pulled various doctors from around the world to do research, encourage the writing of clinical papers and of course treat many arthritic patients. Dr. Buchanan had well over 500 medical publications from basic science, molecular biology, radiology, epidemiology, pharmacology and clinical medicine. He had 80 chapters in books and 90 publications in materia non medica. He wrote on James the VI of Scotland, Robert Burns, Sir William Osler and even wrote a book on Scottish Gaelic Christian names. The book entitled ”History of Clan Buchanan and its Septs: A Millenial Update” was published in 2002.
Dr. Watson Buchanan had many awards throughout his career but one of his most cherished awards was the distinguished Cullen Prize from the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh in 2004, in recognition of ”clinical and academic excellence and the greatest benefit done to practical medicine.
His life of a clinical physician, researcher and publisher was well recognized. His life of a husband, father, grandfather and friend was also something to behold. Dr. Buchanan had a great zest for life and anyone who came in contact with him was sure to be taken with his smile and conversation. He was the ultimate educator and could debate on any subject. He was a keen golfer and on many occasion those who did 18 holes with him received a historical lecture. All who knew him, knew his greatness and he will be sadly missed for there was still much living, learning and teaching to be done.
Dr. Watson Buchanan collapsed suddenly while reciting poetry at a Robert Burn‘s Supper. He passed away peacefully on 28 January 2006 with family at his side.