Damien, Father

Belgian monk, famed for his work with lepers. He himself died of leprosy. Moved by his story, FH wanted to establish a fund to study leprosy and discover a cure. Backed by the Prince of Wales, a panel of doctors was set up but no two could agree, so, disenchanted, FH resigned his post as secretary to the fund.

The name of the fund had been another factor in FH's resignation: he had wanted it to be called "The Damien Fund" but a scurrilous rumor that Damien had contracted his leprosy through sex with female lepers put paid to that.