Live stream: Petty Officer Edgar Evans - Scott’s ‘giant worker’ and ’invaluable assistant’: Lecture by Dr Isobel Williams

Dr Isobel Williams attended Kings College in the Strand for pre-clinical studies and, after passing the 2nd MB, moved to St Georges Hospital at Hyde Park Corner. She married a fellow student before qualifying. They did midwifery in Oldham Hospital with Patrick Steptoe who later delivered the first test-tube baby. After qualification she progressed to become a Consultant Respiratory Physician, working with the National Health Service. Dr Edward Wilson, Scott's friend and confidant had trained at St George's some seventy years previously and there were many of his iconic paintings to study in the medical school. Dr Williams became fascinated by Wilson’s many achievements and wrote the biography of this remarkable man. Wilson, and subsequently Dr Williams, became interested in the lives of the men of the ‘lower deck’, in the contrast between their education, pay and prospects in comparison to those of the officer class. Edgar Evans, a petty officer, was one of Scott’s loyal followers. Dr Williams determined to research his life and wrote a biography of this man who was much maligned after his death. Her blog, primarily on Antarctic subjects, can be found here.