Harold Gillies Blue Plaque

About This Blue Plaque

Sir Harold Gillies (1882-1960) was a pioneering plastic surgeon who revolutionized the field of reconstructive surgery. He lived at 71 Frognal in Hampstead, Camden, where a blue plaque was erected in 1997 to commemorate his remarkable contributions.

Born in New Zealand, Gillies studied medicine at Cambridge University before specializing in surgery. During World War I, he worked in France treating soldiers with severe facial injuries. Gillies developed innovative techniques to reconstruct faces disfigured by shrapnel and burns, restoring not only their appearance but also their ability to breathe, eat, and speak. His groundbreaking work laid the foundation for modern plastic surgery.

After the war, Gillies established a private practice in London and continued to advance the field. He trained many surgeons who went on to become leaders in plastic surgery around the world. In 1930, Gillies was knighted for his services to medicine, becoming Sir Harold Gillies. During World War II, he again treated war casualties and mentored a new generation of plastic surgeons.

The borough of Camden, where Gillies lived, has been home to many notable figures in the arts, literature, and sciences. Hampstead in particular has long attracted intellectuals and creative types with its charming village atmosphere and proximity to central London. Gillies would have been in good company among the writers, artists, and thinkers who have called this area home.

Sir Harold Gillies’ legacy lives on through the countless lives he transformed and the surgical techniques he pioneered. His innovative spirit and compassion for his patients made him a true medical hero. The blue plaque at his former Hampstead residence serves as a reminder of the extraordinary impact one person can have in pushing the boundaries of what is possible.