LADY ALEXANDER FLEMING AND RICHARD TODD PICTURED IN SIR ALXANDER FLEMING'S OLD LABORATORY: 13TH MAY 1964: ORIGINAL PRESS PHOTOGRAPH
PUBLISHER: PA Reuter
SIZE: 15.4cm x 20.3cm including margins
CONDITION: IN VERY GOOD, CLEAN CONDITION. IMPECCABLE PROVENANCE OF THE SHIELDS GAZETTE
LOCATION: MAP DRAWER C: FOLDER 6001: 6001C
Lady Alexander Fleming, born Amalia Koutsouri-Vourekas in Greece, was the second wife of Sir Alexander Fleming, the famous Scottish bacteriologist who discovered penicillin. She became Lady Fleming after her marriage to him in 1953. While she is primarily known for her connection to Fleming, she also had a significant life and background of her own.
Amalia Koutsouri-Vourekas came from a distinguished Greek family. She worked as a doctor and was already a widow when she met Alexander Fleming. Her first husband was a Greek politician, but after his passing, she relocated to England, where she met Fleming. Their marriage in 1953 marked the beginning of her new life in the UK, but it was unfortunately short-lived, as Alexander Fleming died just two years later, in 1955.
Despite the brevity of their marriage, Lady Fleming was remembered for her intelligence, strong character, and ability to navigate life both as a doctor and as the wife of one of the most celebrated scientists of the 20th century. After Fleming’s death, she continued her medical work and maintained connections to both the Greek and British communities.
Her life represents an intersection of the worlds of science, medicine, and international diplomacy, bridging Greek and British cultures. Although less famous than her husband, Lady Alexander Fleming remains a noteworthy figure for her unique background and contributions to the medical field.
Richard Todd (1919–2009) was a distinguished British actor and war hero, best known for his performances in classic British films of the 1950s and 1960s. He was born in Dublin, Ireland, and spent much of his early life in India and Devon, England. Todd had a successful career in acting, known for his portrayal of strong, courageous characters, both fictional and historical.
Before embarking on his acting career, Richard Todd served in the British Army during World War II. He joined the British 6th Airborne Division as a paratrooper and participated in the D-Day landings in Normandy in June 1944, famously being part of Operation Overlord. His role during the landings was to help secure Pegasus Bridge, and remarkably, in a twist of fate, he would later portray Major John Howard, the commanding officer at Pegasus Bridge, in the film The Longest Day (1962).
After the war, Todd returned to acting, joining the Dundee Repertory Theatre before making a breakthrough in films. He gained widespread acclaim in 1949 when he starred as Lachie MacLachlan in The Hasty Heart, a role that earned him a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actor.
In the 1950s, Richard Todd became one of Britain's most prominent actors, appearing in a number of major films:
The Dam Busters (1955): In this film, Todd portrayed Wing Commander Guy Gibson, the leader of the famous "Dambusters" raid during World War II, which targeted German dams. The role became one of his most iconic, and the film remains a British war classic.
The Longest Day (1962): As mentioned, Todd played Major John Howard in this large-scale war epic. The film depicted the D-Day landings, in which Todd himself had actually participated during the war.
The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men (1952): Todd took on the role of Robin Hood in this popular adventure film produced by Disney.
Throughout his career, Todd was known for playing noble, heroic roles that matched his real-life persona. He was often cast as military or authoritative figures due to his commanding screen presence and his status as a decorated war veteran.
Todd’s career continued through the 1960s and 1970s, though he eventually transitioned from leading roles to supporting roles in films and television. Despite his success, his personal life was marked by tragedy. Both of his sons, Peter and Seamus, tragically took their own lives in the 1990s. Todd was deeply affected by these losses but continued to work in theatre and television until his retirement.
Todd was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1993 for his services to drama. He passed away in 2009 at the age of 90.
Richard Todd is remembered as one of the great British actors of his generation, and his contribution to film, particularly in war dramas, is still celebrated today. His military service and acting career gave him a unique stature in British cinema, and his portrayal of wartime heroes, such as Wing Commander Guy Gibson, has left a lasting legacy.
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