Born on 22 December 1902 at Dunedin, New Zealand the son of J J Read, he entered the medical school of Otago University in 1920, qualifying in 1924 with the medal in clinical medicine. After holding resident appointments at Dunedin Hospital, he came to England for postgraduate study in obstetrics and gynaecology, working for several years as registrar and tutor at the Chelsea Hospital for Women, Charing Cross Hospital and Westminster Hospital. For five years he was pathologist to the Chelsea Hospital for Women, being duly appointed surgeon to that hospital. He was also surgeon to Queen Charlotte's Maternity Hospital and the Postgraduate Hospital, Hammersmith, becoming Director of the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the Postgraduate Medical School in 1950. He served as secretary and vice-president of the obstetrical division of the Royal Society of Medicine, and became President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in 1955. He travelled extensively and was an honorary member of the American Association of Obstetricians, Gynaecologists and Abdominal Surgeons, the American Gynaecological Society, the South African Association of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, and the Athens Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society. A formidable figure, he stood six foot four inches in height. Early in his career in England he impressed Victor Bonney with his potentialities both as a surgeon and a personality. As a result he was encouraged to remain in London and become a consultant. A fine teacher and a skilful and delicate operator in spite of his large size he attracted postgraduates from all over the world. He never spared himself either in work or in relaxation, being a keen and experienced yachtsman. He, together with Terence Millin, operated and administered a very successful private clinic at 31 Queen's Gate, SW. In association with Douglas MacLeod he edited the 5th edition of Edward Lockyer's *Gynaecology* and was engaged with MacLeod on a revision of Bonney's *Textbook of Gynaecological Surgery*. He married twice, having two sons by each marriage, his second wife being Dr S Edna Wilson. While he was on holiday aboard his yacht he died aged 54 at the zenith of his career on 21 August 1957.