Frank Tudor Whitney Jordan

  • Born: 1917
  • Died: 2015
  • United Kingdom
Born in Cowbridge, South Wales, Frank Jordan qualified in London with Membership of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) in 1941. He was subsequently awarded a PhD (1954), Fellowship of the RCVS (1955) and a DSc (1970).

During World War II he was a captain in the Royal Army Veterinary Corps. He then spent time in private practice followed by a lectureship at the Royal Veterinary College, until he joined the Welsh Ministry of Agriculture in 1949. There, he became interested in poultry diseases, engendering a strong desire to undertake his own research. In 1952 he was appointed lecturer in Veterinary Preventive Medicine at the University of Liverpool Veterinary School where he remained until his official retirement as professor in 1985, becoming Honorary Research Fellow and Visiting Professor of poultry diseases.

At Liverpool Frank taught poultry diseases to veterinary students and initiated and directed a postgraduate MVSc Avian Medicine course from 1972 until 1984. He also taught at the Bristol, Glasgow and Edinburgh veterinary schools and at the Institute for Animal Health.

Frank published approximately 100 papers, principally on avian mycoplasmas and respiratory viral infections, especially infectious laryngotracheitis. He supervised numerous PhD students. In 1996, with funds from the Agricultural Research Council and British Egg Marketing Board, he established a poultry diseases research laboratory (later named the Jordan Building) at the Leahurst Campus. This became a leading UK focus for poultry disease research. He edited several editions of the classic text Poultry Diseases.

Frank was very active in University and national Veterinary Committees and held offices in the International Organisation of Mycoplasmology. He chaired the RCVS board which initiated the Diploma in Poultry Medicine and Production, and in 1987 was an inaugural diplomate.

Frank was a life member of the WVPA and BVPA. He was awarded the Gordon Memorial Medal in 1985, the Poultry Industry Award in 1995, and in 1993 was appointed Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.

He was known universally for his excellent company and humour, wide interests and love of rugby. He leaves a son and daughter, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

WVPA thanks Dick Jones and Janet Bradbury for compiling this profile.


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