Lecture
Alan Silman
Thursday 16.07.2026
Alan Silman
JFK: Was He Ever Fit ’Enough’ to Be President of the USA
Thursday 16.07.2026
How to watch
This lecture starts on 16 July at 5:00pm (UK).
Summary
In the next on his series of talks on the medical biography of famous people, Alan Silman, surveys the horrific medical challenges JFK faced in his early political career and that continued into the White House. How did they affect his decision-making at crucial times, especially during the Cuban Missile crisis? Could they have, fascinatingly, contributed to the success of his assassination? (An additional note from Alan: “Apologies that I will be talking about the possible unsuitability of JFK to the highest office in the land given the undebatable suitability of the current incumbent!!“)
Alan Silman
After graduating as a doctor, Alan Silman trained in epidemiology at the London School of Hygiene. He then took up an academic role in the Department of Epidemiology at the London Hospital where he also trained in rheumatology. He was appointed as Director of Arthritis Research UK’s Epidemiology Research Unit, Manchester University in 1988. In 2007 he changed role and became the first medical director of the Arthritis Research UK charity. In 2015 he left ARUK to return to academic research in epidemiology and took up the role of Professor of Musculoskeletal Health at Oxford University. He has advised the UK government on the safety of medicines including vaccines and is currently part of the national panel reviewing the quality of epidemiological research in UK Universities. He has written a number of books and numerous articles. During the Covid-19 pandemic he wrote a blog for lay audience aimed at explaining the emerging data, which reached 100 countries. He has a passionate interest in Jewish history and culture and for 20 years has lead tours to many countries in Europe and Asia.