Cornelius Hugh Cullen was born in Belfast in 1912 and qualified MB BCh BAO at Queen's University in 1935. He obtained the FRCSI in 1939; the FRCS in 1941 and the MCh Belfast in the same year. He was resident at Crumpsall Hospital, Manchester, where he later became a member of the consultant staff. He was surgeon in charge of the traumatic and orthopaedic services of the Wigan and Leigh Hospital Group before being appointed to the North Manchester Hospital Group. He was also honorary clinical lecturer in orthopaedic surgery to the University of Manchester. He was interested in the broad aspects of his chosen specialty of orthopaedic surgery, but in particular in surgery of causalgia, traumatic palsy, and the orthopaedic surgery of childhood. His clinical opinion was much sought, and was always first-class; he was a competent and fearless operator. Corney, as he was known to his friends, was a bon viveur and wonderful company. He took considerable interest in the training of his registrars, with whom he was unfailingly popular. He was an excellent teacher of practical orthopaedic surgery. His chief relaxations were fishing and study of the works of Shakespeare. Corney Cullen did not enjoy good health in his last few years, but he bore his illness with great courage and continued to work to the end. He was married and had seven children. He died on 25 January 1975.