Leila Denmark, American pediatrician and author (d. 2012)
Leila Alice Denmark (née Daughtry; February 1, 1898 – April 1, 2012) was an American pediatrician in Atlanta, Georgia. She was the world's oldest practicing pediatrician until her retirement in May 2001 at the age of 103, after 73 years. She was a supercentenarian, living to the age of 114 years, 60 days. On December 10, 2011, at age 113 years 312 days, she became one of the 100 oldest people ever. (This record has since been surpassed.) At her death she was the 5th-oldest verified living person in the world and the 3rd-oldest verified living person in the United States.
A co-developer of the pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine, Denmark was one of the few supercentenarians in history to gain prominence in life for reasons other than longevity. She started treating children in 1928. By the time of her retirement, Denmark was treating grandchildren and great-grandchildren of her first patients.
1898Feb, 1
Leila Denmark
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Events on 1898
- 20Apr
Spanish-American War
President William McKinley signed a joint resolution to Congress for declaration of War against Spain, beginning the Spanish-American War. - 10Jun
United States Marine Corps
Spanish-American War: U.S. Marines land on the island of Cuba. - 3Jul
Battle of Santiago de Cuba
A Spanish squadron, led by Pascual Cervera y Topete, is defeated by an American squadron under William T. Sampson in the Battle of Santiago de Cuba. - 23Aug
Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration
The Southern Cross Expedition, the first British venture of the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration, departs from London. - 13Sep
Photographic film
Hannibal Goodwin patents celluloid photographic film.