Lesson plan

Sid Watkins

Eric Sidney Watkins (6 September 1928 – 12 September 2012), also known as Professor Sid or simply Prof, was an English neurosurgeon. From to , Watkins served as Safety and Medical Delegate in Formula One. Born and raised in Liverpool, Watkins enrolled at the University of Liverpool where he graduated as a Doctor of Medicine in 1952. He then served four years in the Royal Army Medical Corps before specialising in neurosurgery in Oxford and later, in London. Watkins also acted as a race track doctor at weekends which he continued at Watkins Glen International when he was appointed a Professor of Neurosurgery at State University of New York Upstate Medical University in Syracuse. At a meeting with Brabham team boss Bernie Ecclestone, he was offered the role as the FIA Formula One Safety and Medical Delegate, head of the Formula One on-track medical team, and first responder in case of a crash, a role which Watkins performed for 26 years. He is credited with helping save the lives of many drivers, including: Gerhard Berger, Martin Donnelly, Érik Comas, Rubens Barrichello, Karl Wendlinger, and Mika Häkkinen.

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Article summary

Eric Sidney Watkins (6 September 1928 – 12 September 2012), also known as Professor Sid or simply Prof, was an English neurosurgeon. From to , Watkins served as Safety and Medical Delegate in Formula One. Born and raised in Liverpool, Watkins enrolled at the University of Liverpool where he graduated as a Doctor of Medicine in 1952. He then served four years in the Royal Army Medical Corps before specialising in neurosurgery in Oxford and later, in London. Watkins also acted as a race track doctor at weekends which he continued at Watkins Glen International when he was appointed a Professor of Neurosurgery at State University of New York Upstate Medical University in Syracuse. At a meeting with Brabham team boss Bernie Ecclestone, he was offered the role as the FIA Formula One Safety and Medical Delegate, head of the Formula One on-track medical team, and first responder in case of a crash, a role which Watkins performed for 26 years. He is credited with helping save the lives of many drivers, including: Gerhard Berger, Martin Donnelly, Érik Comas, Rubens Barrichello, Karl Wendlinger, and Mika Häkkinen.

Key claims

  1. date of birth: 1952 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95
  2. date of birth: 1928-09-06 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95
  3. date of death: 2001 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95
  4. date of death: 2012-09-12 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95
  5. date of foundation: 1992 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95

Discussion questions

  1. Summarise the article in your own words. Which single claim would you verify first, and why?
  2. The record states that the date of birth is "1952". What evidence would count against this claim?
  3. The record states that the date of birth is "1928-09-06". What evidence would count against this claim?
  4. The record states that the date of death is "2001". What evidence would count against this claim?
  5. The record states that the date of death is "2012-09-12". What evidence would count against this claim?
  6. The record states that the date of foundation is "1992". What evidence would count against this claim?
  7. Which claim in this article is most likely to be revised as the sources update? How would you check its current status?
  8. If two sources disagreed about one of these facts, what would you need in order to trust one over the other?

Bibliography

  1. Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1377659746

Key claims and bibliography are generated from the same tracked claims and sources as the article page.