David Stafford-Clark (1916-1999): seeing through a celebrity psychiatrist

Miller, G. (2017) David Stafford-Clark (1916-1999): seeing through a celebrity psychiatrist. Wellcome Open Research, 2, 30. (doi: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.11411.1) (PMID:28503668) (PMCID:PMC5426535)

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Abstract

This article uses the mass-media career of the British psychiatrist David Stafford-Clark (1916-1999) as a case study in the exercise of cultural authority by celebrity medical professionals in post-war Britain. Stafford-Clark rose to prominence in the mass media, particularly through his presenting work on medical and related topics for BBC TV and Radio, and was in the vanguard of psychiatrists and physicians who eroded professional edicts on anonymity. At the height of his career, he traded upon his celebrity status, and consequent cultural authority, to deliver mass media sermons on a variety of social, cultural, and political topics. Stafford-Clark tried to preserve his sense of personal and intellectual integrity by clinging to a belief that his authority in the public sphere was ultimately to be vindicated by his literary, intellectual, and spiritual significance. But as his credibility dwindled, he came to distrust the cultural intermediaries, such as broadcasters and publishers, who had supported him.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Miller, Dr Gavin
Authors: Miller, G.
College/School:College of Arts & Humanities > School of Critical Studies > English Literature
Journal Name:Wellcome Open Research
Publisher:F1000Research
ISSN:2398-502X
ISSN (Online):2398-502X
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2017 Miller G
First Published:First published in Wellcome Open Research 2: 30
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
685161David Stafford-Clark (1916-1999): portrait of a media psychiatristGavin MillerWellcome Trust (WELLCOME)106650/Z/14/ZCRIT - ENGLISH LITERATURE