1919-2003
Thomas B. Fitzpatrick received his MD from Harvard Medical School in 1945 and a PhD from University the of Minnesota in 1951. He was a fellow in Dermatology and Syphilology at the Mayo Clinic 1948-51.
Dr. Fitzpatrick set up and served as Professor and Head of the Division of Dermatology at the University of Oregon Medical School (1952-58). He was Professor and Head of Dermatology at Harvard Medical School (1959-90).
Dr. Fitzpatrick served as President of the Society for Investigative Dermatology (SID) (1959-60) and the Dermatology Foundation (1971). He received the Distinguished Service Award from the Dermatology Foundation and the Stephen Rothman Gold Medal from SID.
His research involved every aspect of melanogenesis and the use of ultraviolet light in dermatology. He identified and described the white leaf-shaped macule recognized now as the earliest sign of tuberous sclerosis. He was editor of one of the most popular general textbooks of his time. His classification of Fitzpatrick skin types is ubiquitous and continues to remain relevant today.
Dr. Fitzpatrick was a prolific author, researcher, and teacher. He authored more than 200 scientific articles and six textbooks. During his 40-year career at Harvard, he trained many top dermatologists for academia, industry, research and practice.
