Blue Plaque: Sir Harry Gilbert Barling

Sir Gilbert Barling was a distinguished English surgeon and academic administrator whose career was deeply intertwined with the medical institutions of Birmingham. 

From Gloucestershire to Birmingham pioneer
Born in Newnham on Severn, Gloucestershire, on 30 April 1855, Barling moved to Birmingham in 1875 at the age of 20 to prepare for his matriculation exam at Queen’s College, a predecessor institution of the University of Birmingham. He then went on to study at St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London, qualifying as a Member of the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS) in 1879 and becoming a Fellow (FRCS) in 1881.  He was appointed resident pathologist at the Birmingham General Hospital, an institution he would serve for 60 years, eventually becoming its President in 1925. 

Medical visionary and educator
Barling was a significant figure in medical education in the city. He joined the teaching staff of the Birmingham Medical School, becoming Professor of Pathology in 1885, and later co-professor of Surgery at Mason College, which eventually became the University of Birmingham. In 1904, he was appointed Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the University, and from 1913 to 1933, he held the office of Vice-Chancellor (later Pro-Chancellor). Under his guidance, research departments in mental diseases and cancer were founded. He was also instrumental in the setting up of the Birmingham Branch of the British Empire Cancer Campaign (now Cancer Research UK) in 1923, serving as its first Chairman.

War hero at 59
During the First World War, at the age of 59, Barling volunteered his services to the Royal Army Medical Corps, acting as a consulting surgeon in the Southern Command and later serving on the Western Front as a colonel. For his wartime service, he was awarded the Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) in 1917 and made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1919. He received a Baronetcy from King George V in September 1919 in recognition of his civil work in Birmingham.

Civic guardian
Sir Gilbert Barling was also active in civic life, serving for 22 years as Vice President and Chairman of the Council of The Birmingham Civic Society from its creation in 1918 until his death. He was awarded the Birmingham Civic Society’s Gold Medal in 1936 in recognition of his extensive public service.  Sir Gilbert Barling died from heart failure at his home in Edgbaston on 27th April 1940, just before his 85th birthday.