Sir Richard Doll (1912–2005) was a prominent British epidemiologist and physician whose groundbreaking research established the link between smoking and lung cancer. Born in London, Doll’s work profoundly influenced public health policies worldwide. In the early 1950s, he conducted a seminal study that revealed a strong association between cigarette smoking and lung cancer, a finding that revolutionized perceptions of the dangers of smoking.

Throughout his career, Doll continued to investigate the health effects of smoking and other lifestyle factors, contributing to our understanding of the causes of various diseases, including heart disease and certain types of cancer. His research laid the foundation for tobacco control efforts and played a significant role in reducing smoking-related morbidity and mortality. Knighted in 1971, Doll’s legacy endures as one of the most influential figures in the field of epidemiology and public health, with his work saving countless lives through evidence-based interventions and policy changes.

Richard Doll Quotes

1. “Basic research is not the same as development. A crash programme for the latter may be successful; but for the former it is like trying to make nine women pregnant at once in the hope of getting a baby in a month’s time.”
— Richard Doll

2. “Up to 10% of childhood cancers are caused by radiological examination during pregnancy.”
— Richard Doll