Born 22 July 1878, the eldest of the two sons and three daughters of Thomas Johnston English, MRCS 1873, and Eliza Crisp, his wife. Dr T J English succeeded his father Dr Thomas English, MRCS 1848, in practice at 128 Fulham Road, South Kensington, and was anaesthetist to the Cancer Hospital; he died

Born on 16 August 1876 and brought up in South Africa, he was educated at Westminster School and St Thomas's Hospital where he had an outstanding career as a student. After qualifying in 1900 with the Conjoint Diploma he served as assistant house surgeon and house surgeon. In 1902 he graduated MB BS