Joseph Norman Appleton qualified in medicine in Manchester in 1938. He practised in the aural department of Manchester Royal Infirmary. Moving to London he was registrar to the Royal Ear Hospital and University College Hospital. He became a Fellow of the College in 1949. He returned to Manchester and became consultant in otolaryngology to the Oldham Hospital Group. He was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine and a member of the North of England Otological Society. When he retired he moved to Ryde, Isle of Wight and he died there in early November 1990 survived by his wife, Pearl, and his sons Graham, Derek, Christopher and Michael.