Dr Cecil Belfield Clarke

Dr Clarke was born in Barbados in 1894, he travelled to the UK in 1914 to study medicine at St Catharine’s College, Cambridge University. He went on to qualify as a doctor at University College Hospital, London. He was a top student who went on to become a successful GP with his own medical practice in Elephant & Castle, London in the UK.

The community Dr Clarke served for over 45 years was mainly working-class. 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 region’s medical professionals on the international stage as the delegate to the British Medical Association. Dr Clarke consistently pushed for investment in healthcare access, education and fair opportunities for Caribbean doctors and students.

Dr Clarke with a patient

Clarke’s Rule

Through meticulous research 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 the Dr Clarke's formula below = the child's dose.

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

The LCP was Britain’s first major civil rights organisation. Dr Clarke served on its executive committee, he played 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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