Dr Harvey Baker

Respected consultant who wrote the standard textbook on dermatology

THE DISTINGUISHED and popular dermatologist Harvey Baker, who has died aged 88, was an expert on the relationship between psoriasis and arthritis. He held the position of Consultant Dermatologist at the Royal London Hospital, formerly the London Hospital, since 1969, when his original focus was on the local immigrant community, then in constant flux.

Dr Baker was much respected and patients came from worldwide to consult him. As a teacher he was loved by all those who had the privilege of learning from him. He contributed significantly to charities in the UK Jewish community and in Israel, and was an active member of the United Synagogue for well over 50 years.

Born into a modest family in Leeds, the son of Leeds-born Isaac and Rose (née Rifkin),Baker became an only child after the tragic death of two siblings. At the start of the Second World War the family moved to Doncaster, where a small Jewish community remained, and where his father sold cloth on credit to the miners.

Neither of his parents was academic, but he won a scholarship to Doncaster Grammar School and there his scientific interests were stimulated by outstanding teaching. In his final year he was lauded not only for his academic success but also his athletic prowess in winning the school decathlon. Subsequently he studied at Leeds University Medical School, qualifying as a doctor in 1954.

His National Service was spent in Kenya at the time of the Mau Mau uprising, where he served as Medical Officer to a battalion of the King’s African Rifles and then in the British Military Hospital in Nairobi.

On his return from Kenya, he worked first in Leeds, obtaining the MRCP (membership of the Royal College of Physicians) in 1959, and then in Newcastle in the newly-created professorial unit of dermatology. At this time dermatology was a much undervalued specialty. It was the inspiration of Professor John Ingram, head of the unit, who saw the skin as an indicator of wider pathology in the body, which drew Harvey into this area of medicine.

He married Adrienne (née Lever) in 1960 and they had three children; Larry, Caroline and Marion. As the children became independent, Adrienne trained and qualified first as a social worker and then as a psychotherapist. Harvey always said that she was his perfect soulmate and ideal partner, since he was quantitative and she was qualitative.

In 1962 he was appointed to the London Hospital and there he researched for his MD thesis on the relationship between psoriasis and arthritis. He was awarded his MD in 1965.

After a year in Philadelphia as Visiting Research Fellow at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital, he returned to London and in 1966 was appointed Senior Lecturer at the Institute of Dermatology. There he set up a skin physiology laboratory and worked on treatment for a rare and potentially fatal form of psoriasis.

He took up his appointment as Consultant Dermatologist at the former London Hospital in 1969 when he focused on the itinerant local immigrant community. He also undertook a weekly out-patient clinic at the Bethnal Green and London Jewish Hospitals, until both eventually closed down. He was an active member of the London Jewish Medical Society and became its President in 1979/80.

During his professional lifetime Harvey wrote over 100 papers, and in 1989 his textbook of clinical dermatology was published to much peer acclaim. It became the standard textbook on the subject.

Harvey was Honorary Treasurer of the British Association of Dermatologists for nine years from 1979 to 1988 and was appointed President of the BAD in 1990/91.

Following major spinal surgery he retired from the NHS in 1990 but remained active in private practice in Harley Street until his 75th birthday. Patients came from around the world to see him, as well as many from the London Jewish community.

Only in recent years did he become a frequent shul-goer – perhaps reflecting intimations of mortality – but he always had a great sense of community and of Jewish history. He was also charitable in many ways, giving generously to Jewish and other causes in the U.K and in Israel.

In retirement he rekindled his considerable interest in European history, reading voraciously and attending lectures at the University of the Third Age. He loved classical music, and especially opera. He was also a keen walker and until he became ill would stride over Hampstead Heath for several miles every morning. Each year he visited different European cities, exploring them with the energy and enthusiasm of a much younger man.

In 2014 he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and underwent the major Whipple’s operation, after which he lived on a further five years – years of courage and of many blessings. But eventually, after he suffered stoically and philosophically, it took its toll.

Among the many tributes paid to him, former colleagues have spoken about Harvey as an outstanding mentor and a wonderful, caring clinician. He was a man of great modesty and generosity. He also had a warm and witty sense of humour. His many friendships were close and long-lasting.

He is survived by his wife, Adrienne, their three children, Larry, Caroline and Marion, eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He cherished his family, as they did him.

Dr Harvey Baker: born August 19, 1930. Died July 1, 2019