Dr Cecil Belfield Clarke

Dr Cecil Belfield Clarke was born in Barbados in 1894. He won a scholarship and travelled to the UK in 1914 to study medicine at St Catharine’s College at the university of Cambridge. He then went on to qualify as a doctor at University College Hospital London. Dr Clarke became a successful GP with his own medical practice in Elephant & Castle London in the UK. The community Dr Clarke served a mainly working-class community for over 45 years. He was respected and admired by his patients not just for his medical skill but for his kindness.

In the 1950s Dr Clarke was the senior medical advisor to the new Ghanaian government helping Ghana reimagine their healthcare system.

He also represented Caribbean medical professionals on the international stage as the delegate to the British Medical Association. He consistently pushed for investment in healthcare access, education and fair opportunities for Caribbean doctors and students.

Dr Clarke with a patient

Clarke’s Rule

Dr Clarke invented a mathematical formula that calculated the correct paediatric medicine dosage (the word paediatric refers to infants and children aged between 2 and 17 years of age). His formula is widely known as the misspelled ‘Clark’s Rule’. 

The result of Dr Clarke's formula below = the child's dose.

He wasn’t only committed to treating patients, he was also deeply committed to racial justice and equality. In the early 1930s, Dr Clarke was one of the founding members of the League of Coloured Peoples, alongside Dr Harold Moody.

The LCP was Britain’s first major civil rights organisation. Dr Clarke served on its executive committee, playing a huge role behind the scenes, contributing ideas and funds to help keep the organisation going.

Dr. Clarke, was gay and lived with his long-term partner who he employed as his secretary until his death in November 1970 in London.

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