Biographies historically are written by scholars following intensive research, years, even centuries, after the life of the subject person. Less often are they written by an author who not only has lived in the lifetime of that subject but has worked long hours side by side with him. Who would be more qualified to record the story of Dr Elliott Cutler than his first chief resident at the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital (September 1, 1932), colleague for 15 additional years, and friend—Dr Robert M. Zollinger?
This is the life account of a distinguished surgeon, teacher, and pioneer, divided into three parts: his early surgical career at the Lakeside Hospital in Cleveland, with eyes clearly trained on an appointment succeeding the renowned Dr Harvey Cushing in Boston; his 15 years at the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital, tragically shortened by his death from cancer at age 59; and the interregnum years of