Charles Derwent Pye-Smith was born in Sheffield in 1878, but came south for his education at Mill Hill School and Guy's Hospital. He qualified with the Conjoint Diploma in 1903 and in the same year passed the examination for the MB degree in the University of London, but did not complete the BS till

Sir Eardley Lancelot Holland had been senior obstetrician and gynaecologist to the London Hospital for 20 years. In 1943 he was elected the fifth President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. His academic achievements were many and deservedly he was regarded as one of the most