Mentored by a Madman: The William Burroughs Experiment: A conversation with A.J.Lees and Mike Zandi

Hanging out with the molecules. A guide to neurology, discovery, Parkinson’s Disease, William Burroughs, Queen Square, with @ajlees and @michael_zandi

11th April is World Parkinson’s Day and the anniversary of James Parkinson’s birth. It is also 200 years since he published his essay on the shaking palsy. Watch our film about world authority on PD Professor Andrew Lees, by award winning documentary maker Ben Crowe, in which Professor Lees calls for a more creative approach to research.

The film puts a spotlight on William Gowers and the process of neurology. Gowers (1845-1915) was a key figure in establishing the National Hospital as the single most important institution in the field of epilepsy in the last three decades of the nineteenth century. Gowers’ contribution, which sets him above almost all others, was his clinical writing and teaching. His prodigious memory, knowledge and observational skills are evident from his case notes. His clinical descriptions were outstanding and his research was based almost exclusively on his own case notes which were meticulously recorded.

The film includes footage of original Gowers’ materials, which are held in Queen Square Archives, including case notes, illustrations, correspondence and first editions.

Produced by:
Ben Crowe twitter, vimeo, website
for ACNR website twitter, vimeo
and Notting Hill Editions website, twitter, vimeo

The book: Mentored by a Madman: The William Burroughs Experiment by A J Lees

Further reading: