Arthur P. Luff

Who was Arthur P. Luff?

Arthur Pearson Luff was a British physician and forensic chemist. He is considered one of the founders of 20th century forensic medicine.

Luff studied in London at the Royal College of Science, and did research and teachings in chemistry and pharmacology, with a scholarship from the Pharmaceutical Society. As a student, he worked with Charles Romley Alder Wright on analysing and synthesising heroin, publishing joint papers with him on this subject. He was elected a Fellow of the Chemical Society in 1877.

Luff was awarded the B.Sc. in 1883, and then studied at the medical school at St Mary's Hospital, qualifying as a doctor in 1886. He continued to study a range of subjects, achieving honours in many of his exams, including forensic medicine and organic chemistry. His academic excellence was recognised when he was appointed Lecturer in Forensic Medicine and Toxicology at St Mary's Hospital in 1887, holding this post until 1908. The other major part of his teaching career was as Lecturer on Hygiene and Public Health, a post he held for twelve years from 1890. In addition to his lectures, he published several textbooks, including one on chemistry and one on forensic medicine.