John Pearn was born in Brisbane in 1940. He was educated at Brisbane Grammar School and the University of Queensland. Dr John Pearn is Emeritus Professor of Child Health and Paediatrics at the University of Queensland. His clinical interests encompass general paediatrics, medical genetics, clinical toxicology and accident prevention. Dr Pearn served as a doctor-soldier in the Royal Australian Army Medical Corps for 30 years. He was one of the founders of The Australian Society of the History of Medicine, and has received numerous medals for his work. He is the author of some 20 books and chapters in books on clinical medicine and the history of medicine. Dr Pearn was also Chairman of the Organising Committee of the Matthew Flinders Bicentenary.