Sir George Frederick Still (1868–1941) was England’s first professor of childhood medicine and a leading figure in the early development of paediatrics. Working at hospitals such as Great Ormond Street in London, he dedicated his life to improving care for children at a time when the field was still emerging.

He is best known for describing a form of childhood arthritis now called Still’s disease (a type of juvenile idiopathic arthritis), as well as for his early observations of children who struggled with attention, impulsivity, and emotional regulation. Today, many see these descriptions as some of the earliest clinical insights into what we now understand as neurodevelopmental conditions such as ADHD.

Despite difficult early years marked by financial hardship, Still built a respected career through research, teaching, and clinical care. He published widely on childhood illnesses and helped establish paediatrics as a recognised medical specialty in the UK.

Beyond his academic work, he was known as a dedicated clinician who cared deeply about children’s wellbeing. He treated families from all backgrounds and often provided care free of charge to those in need.

The legacy of Sir George Still lives on not only in medical terms like Still’s disease and Still’s murmur, but also in the continued effort to better understand and support children’s physical and mental health.