Anthony Clare

Anthony Clare hosting After Dark in 1987

Anthony Clare (24 December 1942 – 28 October 2007) was an Irish psychiatrist and broadcaster. He was best known for his radio and television interviews with a range of prominent figures and for his contributions to mental health awareness. Clare's approach to psychiatry and the media made significant impacts on public perceptions of mental health and psychiatry in the late 20th century.

Early Life and Education

Anthony Clare was born in Dublin, Ireland. He pursued his medical education at University College Dublin (UCD), where he graduated with a degree in medicine. Following his graduation, Clare moved to the United Kingdom to further his training in psychiatry, a field in which he would make significant contributions both as a practitioner and as a public figure.

Career

Clare's career in psychiatry spanned several decades, during which he held various positions in clinical psychiatry and academic settings. He was particularly interested in the areas of depression and personality disorders, contributing valuable insights and research to the field.

In addition to his clinical and academic roles, Anthony Clare became a well-known media personality. He was the host of the BBC Radio 4 program In the Psychiatrist's Chair, where he conducted in-depth interviews with a variety of guests, including politicians, entertainers, and writers. These interviews often delved into the personal lives and psychological aspects of his guests, bringing a new level of depth to public interviews and contributing to the demystification of psychiatry.

Contributions to Psychiatry

Clare's contributions to psychiatry were not limited to his media presence. He was a prolific writer, authoring several books on mental health, including "Psychiatry in Dissent: Controversial Issues in Thought and Practice" and "Depression and How to Survive It", co-written with comedian Spike Milligan. His work emphasized the importance of understanding mental health issues from both a clinical and a personal perspective, advocating for greater public awareness and destigmatization of mental health.

Legacy

Anthony Clare's legacy in the fields of psychiatry and media is significant. His ability to bridge the gap between the professional world of psychiatry and the general public through media platforms was groundbreaking. He played a crucial role in changing public perceptions about mental health, making it a more approachable and discussed topic.

Clare's interviews on In the Psychiatrist's Chair remain a valuable resource for understanding the human psyche and the complexities of various personalities. His contributions to mental health awareness and his efforts to destigmatize mental health issues have had a lasting impact, inspiring future generations of psychiatrists and mental health advocates.

Death

Anthony Clare passed away on 28 October 2007. His death was a significant loss to the fields of psychiatry and broadcasting. Tributes poured in from colleagues, listeners, and viewers who had been touched by his work, reflecting the wide-reaching impact of his career.

Selected Works

• Psychiatry in Dissent: Controversial Issues in Thought and Practice
• Depression and How to Survive It (co-authored with Spike Milligan)
• In the Psychiatrist's Chair, a collection of interviews from his radio series.