William Nixon | |
|---|---|
| Born | William Carl Wallace Nixon 22 November 1903 |
| Died | 9 February 1966 (aged 62) |
| Education | |
| Known for | Establishing Hong Kong's first family planning clinic |
| Medical career | |
| Profession | Surgeon |
| Institutions |
|
| Sub-specialties | Obstetrics and gynaecology |
William Charles Wallace Nixon CBE FRCS (22 November 1903 – 9 February 1966) was a Maltese-born professor of obstetrics and gynaecology at the University of London, director of the obstetric unit at University College, and member of the Expert Advisory Committee on Maternity Care for the World Health Organization.
In the 1930s, he set up the first birth control clinic in Hong Kong. He pushed for changes in abortion law, promoted psychological preparedness for childbirth, and wrote and spoke on diet in pregnancy. Unlike many others in his field in his time, his concern over the number of illegal abortions and mental state of women with unwanted pregnancies led him to offer abortions in the NHS before the Abortion Act 1967.
In 1964 he was an expert witness at the Dering v Uris trial.