Robert George Douglass Newill

Researcher who helped break down the secrecy surrounding male infertility

Robert Newill spent several years in general practice in Hertfordshire before, with an MD from London and a Rockefeller research grant, he began a second career in infertility research. He joined the infertility clinic at University College Hospital, London, and from the early 1970s his work there and in his private practice in Harley Street contributed to the momentum of making infertility—at that time usually dealt with as a general gynaecological problem—an area of specific medical expertise.

Perhaps his most valuable professional contribution was in the area of male infertility, which most people in those days regarded as a taboo subject, surrounded by secrecy. For the men affected, infertility frequently led to feelings of personal shame and failure. Problems of infertility were invariably attributed to the female partner, but Robert Newill's pioneering work with donor insemination was a bold step in bringing the issue of male infertility to greater public awareness.

He published a number of papers on infertility and donor insemination, but his book Infertile Marriage (Penguin, 1974), which he wrote specifically with a non-medical audience in mind, was possibly the most influential and certainly generated the widest interest. The purpose of his work always was to alleviate the anguish experienced by couples unable to conceive, recognising as he did the social stigma surrounding infertility.

Robert Newill served with the Royal Armoured Corps in Africa, India, and Burma during the second world war. He decided to train as a doctor after a chance escape from death when an Italian shell exploded in Egypt.

Many found his manner abrupt at times, but his sardonic humour and dry wit were much enjoyed. He was a keen choral singer, a great lover of music, a yachtsman, a gardener, and a passionate birdwatcher.

Predeceased by his wife, Patricia, he leaves two daughters.

Former clinical lecturer in infertility and endocrinology University College Hospital Medical School, London (b Chetwynd Aston, Shropshire, 1921; q St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, 1953; MD), d 10 November 2002.