Prof. Symon graduated from Aberdeen University in 1951 with honours, having been awarded the Lyon Prize for the most distinguished graduate of the year in Medicine. He returned to Aberdeen as a research fellow in surgery and subsequently surgical registrar and then spent some years with the Medical Research Council, the foundation of his interest in cerebrovascular research. He joined Valentine Logue at Maida Vale, remaining with him as registrar and first assistant until his appointment to the staff of Queen Square in 1965. He became Professor of Neurological Surgery at the Institute of Neurology at Queen Square in 1978 and was senior surgeon from 1981 until his retirement in 1995.
He was Vice President of the European Association of Neurological Societies from 1975 to 1979, and a member of its Training Committee from 1979 to 1993. He was President of the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies from 1989 to 1993. He was visiting professor to units in USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, China, India, Japan and several European Counties.
He has published over 500 articles and papers in the neurosurgical and physiological literature. His main interests were in relation to the cerebral circulation, in particular the surgery of giant aneurysms and skull base tumours. He also edited a number of books and was member of the Editorial board of many neurological and neurosurgical journals. In particular, he was a founding member of the editorial board of Advances and Technical Standards in Neurosurgery in 1972 and was Editor-in-Chief from 1984 – 1994.
He has been awarded many honours and was made a CBE in 1994.
Prof. Lindsay Symons is a worthy recipient of the 2nd SBNS Medal to be awarded by the Society.
The award will take place on 10th April at the Gala Dinner of the SBNS Spring Meeting at Liverpool Town Hall.