Dr Marjory Warren was a remarkable, formidable physician who reversed the neglect of chronic sick patients and brought their treatment into the modern area. She advocated the creation of the specialty of geriatric medicine with units based in district general hospitals, and that medical students and nurses should be taught about the diseases of old age. (An extract of Michael Denham's article published in the Journal of Medical Biography 2011; 19: 105-110. DOI: 10.1258/jmb.2010.010030)