William O'Donovan (politician)

Dr William James O'Donovan OBE (1886 – 13 January 1955) was a British dermatologist and Conservative Party politician.[1][2]

Born in Tonbridge, Kent, he was the son of Patrick O'Donovan from Clonakilty, County Cork, Ireland and his wife Beatrice née Gibson of Eynsford.[1][2] He was educated at the University of London and abroad.[1][2]

He began his medical career as a registrar at the London Hospital, and became a well-known figure in the East End of London.[1] He went to become a Consulting Physician in skin departments in a number of hospitals in the capital, and served a president of the Dermatological Section of the British Medical Association.[1][2]

Politically a Conservative, from 1931 to 1935 he was Member of Parliament (MP) for Mile End. He attempted to return to the Commons at the 1950 general election, unsuccessfully contesting Fulham West.[1]

An active Roman Catholic, he was awarded the papal Order of St. Gregory the Great.[1][2] He was also awarded the Order of the British Empire.[1][2]