Abstract
On Sunday 23 June 2002, Dr George Willem Bruyn, emeritus Professor and Chair of Neurology at Leiden University Medical Centre, died suddenly in his dearly beloved farmhouse in the South of France. His wife was about to pour him his customary afternoon Macallan, but he never enjoyed this last glass. He died the way he always wanted, in excellent health, as sharp as ever, suddenly and without suffering, but … at age 73 much too soon for himself, for his family and his many friends and pupils.
Neurology has lost a unique man who truly was a ‘homo universalis’. As a neurologist he was best known as the Editor of the monumental Handbook of Clinical Neurology by Vinken & Bruyn, which earned such a prominent place in so many medical libraries throughout the world. Whilst his good friend Professor P. J. Vinken was the CEO of Elsevier Publishers Inc., George, with his encyclopedic knowledge of neurology and medicine in general, was responsible for the content of all 78(!) volumes of the Handbook which have been published since 1969. The final three volumes just recently appeared and cover the cumulative subject index. He wrote a substantial number of the chapters himself, ranging from the clinical and pathophysiological aspects of rare neuropathies to the neurological complications of parasitic infections, the biochemistry and neuropsychiatric aspects of migraine, and the molecular basis of a wide variety of neurodegenerative disorders. He would cover it all in great depth and astounding insight.
His favourite topics were Huntington's disease and migraine. He clearly contributed his fair share to both areas of research with highly cited classical, critical review and innovative original papers, all firmly based on an incredible knowledge of neuroanatomy, neurochemistry, neurophysiology and medical history. His lectures were famous, witty, erudite, full of historical and philosophical citations, always provocative and communicating a strong message. As a traditionally trained clinician he was primarily a critical observer; as a scientist and teacher he would always strive to solve the unknown. He also made substantial contributions to the neurology community in general. He supported the International Headache Society from its very beginning, sat on the editorial boards of Headache and Cephalalgia, was Editor in Chief of the Journal of Neurological Sciences, the official journal of the World Federation of Neurology, and was also on the financial committee and various research groups for this organization. During the last decade, after his retirement, he kept on publishing actively, but still writing with a fountain pen rather than using these ‘modern word processors’; he also was since 1991 the Editor in Chief of Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery, the official journal of the Dutch and Flemish Neurology Association, which awarded him with an honorary membership. Seven other National Neurological Societies had already made him an honorary member.
Similarly brilliant and broad was his knowledge outside the scope of neurology. Apart from speaking at least seven different languages fluently, including Latin and Greek, he could easily entertain his company on a wide range of topics such as classical and modern history, the development of geological formations, the assessment of wines, the financial structure of internationals, etiquette, or on the great in philosophy. While taking long leisurely walks in his self-planted forest on the mountains around his old self-renovated farmhouse in La Salvetat, I was impressed how easily he could switch from a conversation on the biochemical basis of a rare metabolic disorder he had just observed, to explain in detail the ins and outs of how to grow trees and what one could learn by careful observation about the life of plants, water regulation in a forest, and feeding habits of animals.
George Bruyn was seriously intelligent, sharp and critical, but also fair and honest. He despised dishonesty, lies, and people who claimed glory at the expense of others. His sharp, controversial and provocative style created both dear friends, though also some adversaries. You could certainly say that very few were indifferent to his charismatic personality and that his noble motives were not always appreciated. His sometimes brutal comments were always driven by a strong will for honesty and to create and promote the best; never to promote himself. He was extremely motivational and inspiring for his friends and pupils. This is best exemplified by a respectable list of 27 PhD students he supervised on a variety of neurological topics, and of which an impressive number of so far nine have become professor in general or paediatric neurology or clinical neurophysiology. He would never take the credit himself but would always give his pupils the honours. Despite the fact that he was instrumental in many of our publications, he would repeatedly delete his name from the authors list on the draft versions because he felt that he had not contributed sufficiently to the studies to deserve co-authorship. Of course, he would remain on the co-author lists because his contributions were very much at a higher and different level; while discussing issues he would always come up with a solution, if not directly then indirectly by promoting a logical flow of thought ultimately arriving at the right conclusion.
How proud he was of his ‘boys and girls’. In November last year, even, his ‘promovendi’ surprised him and his dear wife Rosemary with a reunion party to mark his 73rd birthday and to express our gratitude and admiration. He was satisfied, proud, and loud as ever. No one could envision that it also was a farewell party … We keep his memory close to our hearts.
Personally, I will never forget my first active participation in a scientific congress. It was the Migraine Trust meeting in London in 1986. As a young neurology trainee my professor took me with his Alfa Romeo from Leiden to London, always accelerating in the turns even in the rain, shared a cabin on the night ferry with me, introduced me to the ‘international migraine mafia’ as his pupil, and certainly helped to get me my first award of a ‘Best Poster Prize’. He stimulated my first steps into headache research. Everyone needs a mentor and I am proud that George Bruyn was one of my mentors. I was privileged to have been a part of his world.
George W. Bruyn in the 1980s in a characteristic pose: traditional yet modern, amusing yet firm, intelligent, arrogant and astute yet understanding, kind and patient, a true teacher and inspirer.
