Montagu Lomax: The background andmotivation of a ‘remarkable man’ whospearheaded lunacy reform

摘要

Doctor Montagu Lomax was a retired General Practioner, whose service in English lunatic asylums during the First WorldWar inspired him to write The experiences of an asylum doctor: with suggestions for asylum and lunacy law reform. Published in1921, the book acted as a catalyst for lunacy reform and stimulated improvements in the mental health services in theUnited Kingdom. Lomax spent the remainder of his retirement campaigning for lunacy reform. He suffered financial andpersonal hardship following the publication of the book and was castigated by his own profession. On the centenary ofthe publication of Experiences, this article explores the background and motivation of a remarkable man.