Sharpey-Schafer has been described as 'one of the greatest physiologists of all time'. Born and educated in London, he was influenced by Professor William Sharpey when studying at University College. He became MRCS in 1874, an assistant in physiology at University College and then Jodrell Professor of Physiology there in 1883. In 1899 he moved to Edinburgh as Professor of Physiology, retiring in 1933. He did pioneer work on ductless glands and internal secretion and wrote 'The Endocrine Organs' which was first published in 1916. He also worked on the central nervous system and on respiratory movements and the physiology of pulmonary circulation. He is well known for his interest in resuscitation in asphyxia and drowning and his prone pressure method of treatment, the Schafer Method, has been widely used in lifesaving.