Martin Savage passed away on 24 February 2026, aged 84 years. He was Emeritus Professor of Paediatric Endocrinology at the William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London.
Martin will be remembered as a highly gifted and influential clinician, a brilliant teacher and mentor to a generation of young paediatric endocrinologists, and one of the outstanding figures in both national and international paediatric endocrinology.
We recall when he joined us at the Endocrine Department at Barts, as a young paediatric endocrinologist, where he rapidly became a highly significant and influential member of the department. He initiated many clinical lines of research into Cushing’s syndrome, growth hormone deficiency, and all forms of growth disorders. Martin’s outstanding novel descriptions of, and molecular dissection of, growth hormone resistance were ground-breaking. He was one of the major figures to introduce molecular techniques into paediatric endocrinology, fusing molecular aspects with outstanding clinical care.
In spite of his many highly significant research achievements, he remained a deeply respected and compassionate clinician. He was especially astute at seeing how forming firm clinical and academic relationships with his colleagues in adult endocrinology could lead to greatly improved care for both children and adults.
He nurtured the careers of many people in the UK and internationally. He was passionate about teaching and led many flagship educational activities, including ‘Transition Endocrinology’, where (with Andrea Isidori in Rome) he initiated the annual, highly-respected ‘TALENT’ course in this previously neglected area, leading to widespread teaching and publications.
Martin was a gifted writer and, in 2023, he published his memoir entitled Reflections of an Itinerant Lecturer.
Martin graduated in medicine from Magdalene College, Cambridge, where he received a ‘blue’ in skiing. He presented his MD thesis in Cambridge, and was awarded his degree by Sir John Butterfield, who told him that he had made a significant contribution to British science. Martin was a great Europhile and talented linguist. He was Secretary General of the European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology (ESPE) and worked tirelessly for that society between 1997 and 2024.
Martin described his marriage to Elisabeth, whom he met as student while spending some time in France, as a whirlwind romance. He was clearly lucky in love and grew a close, happy, healthy family. The church played an increasing role in Martin and Elisabeth’s life, bringing meaning and comfort.
At the end of his memoir, Martin describes himself as an ambitious and serious man. However, we saw him as a humble, thoughtful man who enjoyed life to the full, gave pleasure to many, was dedicated to his family, and trained a generation of paediatric and adult endocrinologists.
His outstanding achievements have been recognised by numerous honours, including the 2025 James Spence Medal of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, the 2022 James Tanner Award from the British Society for Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, the 2018 American Human Growth Foundation Visionary Award and the 2007 ESPE Andrea Prader Award.
Martin touched many people’s lives through his boundless energy and immense kindness, wisdom, generosity, friendship and mentorship. He had a life-long devotion to improving the endocrine care of children. He leaves a lasting legacy in paediatric endocrinology.
RICHARD ROSS
Emeritus Professor of Endocrinology, University of Sheffield, UK
ASHLEY GROSSMAN
Honorary Professor of Endocrinology, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University London, and Emeritus Professor of Endocrinology, Green Templeton College, University of Oxford
