| 1 | Name: | Dr. Alexander G. Bearn | |
| Institution: | American Philosophical Society | ||
| Year Elected: | 1972 | ||
| Class: | 2. Biological Sciences | ||
| Subdivision: | 204. Medicine, Surgery, Pathology and Immunology | ||
| Residency: | Resident | ||
| Living? : | Deceased | ||
| Birth Date: | 1923 | ||
| Death Date: | May 15, 2009 | ||
Alexander G. Bearn was Executive Officer of the American Philosophical Society from 1997 until his retirement in 2002. A physician, scientist and author, Dr. Bearn became a member of the Society in 1972 and served as a vice president from 1988-96. He received the Society's Benjamin Franklin Medal in 2001. The citation read "in recognition of distinguished contributions as a physician and scientist, represented by his service as Stanton Griffis Distinguished Professor and Chairman of the Department of Medicine at Cornell University Medical College and Physician-in-Chief at the New York Hospital, as Senior Vice President for Medical and Scientific Affairs at Merck, Sharp and Dohme and as Editor of the American Journal of Medicine. The Society places on record its profound appreciation for his outstanding service, wise leadership and exemplary devotion to the life and work of the Society and its members. As Executive Officer, he revitalized the Society's meetings, instituted Mellon sabbatical fellowships in the humanities and social sciences, led the Society's gift support to record levels, created joint programs with scholarly societies in Sweden and the United Kingdom, oversaw the renovation of Philosophical Hall and the purchase of additional office space, launched a successful program of scientific exhibits, redefined the focus of the Society's publications and, not least, brought to these and all his dealings a warmth, grace and generosity of spirit which have enlivened and enriched the corporate life of the Society. In expressing its admiration and gratitude for Dr. Bearn's enlightened leadership, the Society also places on record its best wishes for a long and happy retirement and its anticipation of a long continuing association with him as one of the Society's most eminent members. It hereby awards to him its highest honor in recognition of his loyal and devoted service, and as a mark of the admiration, appreciation and affection of its members." Dr. Bearn was educated in England, and received his M.B., B.S. and M.D. degrees from the University of London. He came to the U.S. in 1951 for the first time to work at Rockefeller University for one year and soon embarked on the study of genetics of rare metabolic diseases. In 1964 he was named professor and senior physician. In 1966 Dr. Bearn was appointed professor and chairman of the department of medicine at Cornell University Medical College and physician-in-chief of New York Hospital. He established the first human genetics laboratory at the Medical College and with former Rockefeller colleagues initiated the joint M.D./Ph.D. program between the institutions. He remained at Cornell until 1979 when he was named senior vice-president for medical and scientific affairs of Merck, Sharpe & Dohme, International Division, a post he held until 1988. A frequent lecturer and author of numerous scientific articles, Dr. Bearn is also the author of Archibald Garrod and the Individuality of Man (Oxford, 1993), Sir Clifford Allbutt: Scholar and Physician (London, 2007), Sir Francis Richard Fraser; A Canny Scott Shapes British Medicine (Brighton, 2008). In 1970 Dr. Bearn joined the Rockefeller Board of Trustees and after serving for twenty-eight years, was elected emeritus trustee in 1998; he continues as a visiting professor and physician. In 2002 he received the David Rockefeller Award. Since 1987 Dr. Bearn has been a Trustee of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and has also served as a trustee of the Helen Hay Whitney Foundation, the Josiah Macy, Jr. Foundation and as an overseer of the Jackson Laboratory. He became a member of the National Academy of Sciences in 1972 and is a member of its Institute of Medicine and numerous other academies and societies, including the Harvey Society (president 1972-73) and the American Society of Human Genetics (president, 1971). | |||