Dr Clement Smith (1901-1988) of Boston, pioneer of modern neonatal medicine.

Clinician, physiologist and teacher, Smith may be justly regarded as the father of modern neonatal medicine. He also appreciated the importance of prenatal medicine.

Dr Helen Taussig (1898 1986): pioneering American paediatric cardiologist.

In 1944, Helen Taussig in collaboration with Alfred Blalock initiated the first surgical treatment of cyanotic congenital malformations of the heart. She may be regarded as the founder of paediatric cardiology.

Perinatal lessons from the past: Sir Norman Gregg, ChM, MC, of Sydney (1892-1966) and rubella embryopathy.

By identifying rubella infection in early pregnancy as a cause of congenital malformations and disabilities, Gregg alerted the medical profession to the importance of the prenatal environment.

Dr Edith Potter (1901 1993) of Chicago: pioneer in perinatal pathology.

Following in the footsteps of Billard and Ballantyne, Edith Potter founded from the 1930s onwards the modern subspecialty of perinatal pathology. Her name is eponymously linked with the facial characteristics of infants with bilateral renal agenesis.

Oliver Wendell Holmes (1809-1894) and his essay on puerperal fever.

Doctor, teacher of anatomy, conversationalist, essayist, and poet, in 1843 Holmes combined his medical and literary skills in a masterly dissertation on the epidemiology and prevention of puerperal fever.

Arvo Ylppö (1887-1992): pioneer of Finnish paediatrics.

Besides developing the clinical and social care of children throughout Finland from 1920 onwards, the earlier research of Ylppö in Germany had laid the foundations world wide for scientific progress in the understanding and care of the premature infant.

Dr Mary Crosse, OBE, MD (1900-1972) and the premature baby.

On behalf of Birmingham's Department of Public Health, Dr Crosse developed the Sorrento Premature Baby Unit in 1931 and pioneered the modern care of these small newborn infants in Britain.

John Whitridge Williams, MD (1866-1931) of Baltimore: pioneer of academic obstetrics.

Williams was the founder of academic obstetrics in the United States and with his textbook was the recognised leader of this discipline in America during the first 30 years of the 20th century.

Drs Richard Evanson (1800-1871) and Henry Maunsell (1806-1879) of Dublin and their paediatric text.

The textbook on the care of children published by these two Dublin physicians in 1836 was for many years regarded as an authoritative work on this subject.

Paul Portal (1630-1703), man-midwife of Paris.

Portal was the first doctor to give a good description of placenta praevia. His textbook contained interesting accounts of problem cases that he had encountered.

Sir Frederic Still (1868-1941): the father of British paediatrics.

As a pioneer of full time paediatrics, as the first professor in this new discipline, and as inaugural president of the British Paediatric Association, Still has been called with justice the father of British paediatrics.

Adolphe Pinard (1844-1934) of Paris and intrauterine paediatric care.

Pinard was a pioneer of modern perinatal care. His provision of social care to deprived pregnant women progressed to a recognition of the value of medical care of mother and baby before as well as after birth. The creation of antenatal departments and wards in maternity hospitals followed. He also established abdominal obstetric palpation on sound principles.

Michael Underwood, MD (1737-1820): physician-accoucheur of London.

Underwood was the first physician-accoucheur to be appointed to the Royal College of Physicians in London. The same year, 1784, he published a textbook which did much to establish paediatrics as an emerging discipline in its own right. The book contains several original descriptions of childhood diseases.

Aristotle (384-322 BC): philosopher and scientist of ancient Greece.

Aristotle's studies encompassed the entire world of living things. Many of his descriptions and classifications remain sound today. Although not a physician, he exerted a profound influence on medicine for the next 2000 years.

Sir Robert Hutchison (1871-1960) of London and the causes and treatment of rickets.

A general physician with a special interest in nutrition and in children, Sir Robert Hutchison became a leader in medicine and paediatrics in the United Kingdom during the early decades of the 20th century. His wisdom and wit educated and amused successive generations of students and doctors.