Winifred May de Kok
Winifred May de Kok | |
|---|---|
| Born | 17 May 1893 Bethlehem, Orange Free State, South Africa |
| Died | 1969 (aged 75–76) |
| Occupations | Physician, writer, broadcaster |
| Known for | Childcare and family health advice |
| Notable work | New Babes for Old (1932); First Baby (1947); You and Your Child (1955); Your Baby and You (1957) |
| Spouse | Alfred Edgar Coppard (m. 1932) |
| Children | 2 |
Winifred May de Kok, M.D. (17 May 1893 – 1969) was a South Africa-born writer and doctor. She was born in Bethlehem in the Orange Free State on 17 May 1893 and attended medical school in England during the 1920s.[1]
Personal life
She married the British short-story writer Alfred Edgar Coppard in 1932; they had two children.[2]
Career
Medical career
De Kok practiced medicine in England until 1953, focusing on women’s and infant health. She was recognized for her straightforward and practical advice on parenting and family life at a time when formal family planning organizations were limited.
Broadcasting career
After retiring from clinical practice, she became a broadcaster for the BBC television program Tell Me, Doctor, where she discussed topics related to pregnancy, child-rearing, and family health. This helped bring medical advice directly to the public.[3][4]
Writing career
As a spokeswoman for women's and neonates' health before the era of family planning, she published several books and articles on parenting and family health.[2]
Selected works
- New Babes for Old (1932)
- First Baby (1947)
- You and Your Child (1955)
- Your Baby and You (1957)
Death
Winifred died on 31 August 1969 at the age of 76.[2]
References
- ^ sysadmin. "Winifred May de Kok (1893-1969) and her children". Smithsonian Institution Archives. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
- ^ a b c ""Nixey's Harlequin" by Alfred Edgar Coppard (1931)". nixey.one-name.net. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
- ^ "Winifred May de Kok (1893-1969) and her children". Smithsonian Institution. 25 January 2011. Retrieved 15 March 2011.
- ^ "Winifred May de Kok". British Medical Journal. 3: 658–661. 13 September 1969. doi:10.1136/bmj.3.5671.658. S2CID 220203010. Retrieved 15 March 2011.