Williams, William Owen founder of RCGP Swansea Research Unit

William Owen Williams (1921-2002) served in general practice in Swansea 1950-1980 and was senior partner in his practice from 1968. He trained at the University College of North Wales, Bangor and the Welsh National School of Medicine, Cardiff. His MD thesis, 'A clinical and epidemiological study of Bornholm Disease', was submitted to the University of Wales in 1958. He later undertook a number of inquiries into the state of MDs by thesis in Britain and abroad; influenza and whooping cough are notable among his other research interests.

The Swansea Research Unit of the RCGP was largely set up due to his activities and he served as Director from its inception in 1975, retiring in 1988. (The unit then ceased to be part of the RCGP and work was carried on by the Postgraduate School of Medicine at the University of Swansea.)

Dr Williams has also written on the work of the general practitioner and undertaken research into medical education. He has worked as a lecturer, served on various training committees and has held various positions with the Royal College of General Practitioners and government medical advisory bodies. He was elected a Fellow of the RCGP in 1970 and awarded the OBE in 1975. He is widely referred to as 'W.O.'