The Oldham Notebooks: an analysis of the development of IVF 1969-1978 VI
Sources of support and patterns of expenditure
#MMPMID28299365
Johnson MH
; Elder K
Reprod Biomed Soc Online
2015[Jun]; 1
(1
): 58-70
PMID28299365
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Three major sources of financial support for the research undertaken by Edwards,
Steptoe and Purdy between 1969 and 1978 are identified: the Ford Foundation,
Oldham and District General Hospital (ODGH) Management Committee, and Miss
Lillian Lincoln Howell via the American Friends of Cambridge University.
Significant possible financial support from the World Health Organization was
also identified. In addition, evidence of support in kind from GD Searle and Co.
plus staff at ODGH was found. Expenditure on salaries of staff at Oldham was
negligible, as most volunteered their time outside of their official paid duties.
Work in Cambridge was evidently funded largely from Ford Foundation grants, as
was Edwards' salary and probably that of Purdy. Clinical costs seem to have been
largely borne by ODGH. The funds from Lillian Lincoln Howell supported travel and
accommodation costs plus office costs. Overall, Edwards, Steptoe and Purdy
achieved reasonable support for the programme of research, despite the initial
rejection of funding by the Medical Research Council. However, this was at the
expense of considerable inconvenience to Purdy and Edwards, and depended upon the
good will of staff led by Muriel Harris in Oldham, who donated their time and
expertise. As a result of our research, we conclude that, to Edwards, Steptoe and
Purdy, should be added the names of two other hitherto neglected people who were
essential to the success of this pioneering research: namely Muriel Harris and
Lillian Lincoln Howell.
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