Cuthbert Dukes, the son of a Congregational minister, was born on 24 July 1890 at Bridgwater, Somerset. He was educated at Caterham School and the University of Edinburgh and graduated in 1914. He served in the RAMC throughout the first world war attached to the Rifle Brigade, and was awarded the OBE for his services. After the war he became a demonstrator in bacteriology at University College, London, and became the first pathologist to St Mark's Hospital in 1922. It was there that he began his classical study on the pathology of cancer of the colon and rectum which was to bring him international fame. Of his many other contributions to proctology his pioneer work on familial polyposis was outstanding, and his establishment of the polyposis register at St Mark's Hospital was one of his most notable achievements. Dukes had a very wide interest in and around pathology starting with the publication of a book on the bacteriology of food in 1925, and continuing with a book on urine examination after his appointment to St Peter's Hospital in 1929. At the latter hospital he established an outstanding museum and provided a classification of bladder tumours which is still in daily use. Despite his hospital commitments he found time to run a busy private practice where his expert opinion was sought by many surgeons and physicians. One of the first members of the Association of Clinical Pathologists, he became President in 1952. At the Royal Society of Medicine he had the distinction of being President of the Section of Proctology in 1954, the Section of Urology in 1957, the Section of the History of Medicine in 1959 and of being elected an Honorary Fellow of the Society in 1974. A keen and active supporter of the Medical Society of London, he was its Lettsomian Lecturer, editor of the proceedings and then President in 1952. In recognition of his services to surgery he was elected FRCS in 1950 and Hunterian Professor two years later. His exceptional interest in, and concern for, patients was shown by his excellent study of those with colostomies and a valuable publication thereon. He also took a most active interest in the Ileostomy Association from the time of its foundation. 'Cubby', as he was known to his intimates, had a most kindly personality and whimsical sense of humour. He was an excellent companion and raconteur and took a great interest in both the surgical and pathological trainees at his hospitals. As a result he made numerous friends spread all over the world. His gentle character was compounded of an inner tranquillity and wisdom, strongly influenced by his Quaker faith. Cuthbert was a brother of the late Sir Paul Dukes, famous for his intelligence work in the first world war, and also of Ashley Dukes, the playwright. Their sister was one of the first women graduates of the University of London. He married Ethel Popplewell in 1915 and she, too, was an Edinburgh medical graduate. Their only son is an electronics engineer. In his latter years Cuthbert Dukes lived quietly in Wimbledon, enjoying the company of his friends and caring for his wife. After he died on 3 February 1977 she slipped quietly into coma and herself died eleven days later.