Cawley qualified in medicine at Birmingham University in 1955, having previously obtained a BSc in zoology and a PhD in statistics. He had become close to Professor Lancelot Hogben, who apparently had tried his best to dissuade Cawley from embarking on a medical career.
It was whilst doing his house jobs that Bob decided to take up psychiatry and, in 1957, he obtained a registrar's post at the Maudsley Hospital, in south London. Among a group of young doctors - mostly shabbily dressed but several of whom were to become eminent in their fields - he stood out in his dark blue-striped suit with beautifully pressed trousers, and looked like a consultant. Later, he would claim that this was the only suit he had, since he had to finance his medical studies himself. Be that as it may, throughout his working life his dress sense never left him and his sartorial elegance, particularly his penchant for bow-ties, was always admired by his peers.
But Bob brought much more than this to the Maudsley. His science degree, his doctorate, his belief in the scientific method and his knowledge of statistics endeared him to Professor Sir Aubrey Lewis, at that time director of the Institute of Psychiatry. Cawley was the first person to be appointed senior lecturer in the new department of psychiatry at Birmingham and later, on returning to London, he became joint chair of psychiatry between the institute and the neighbouring King's College Hospital.
Although Bob was first of all a sound clinician, he was also an inspired teacher and a painstaking research worker. In committees his clear vision and ability to grasp the essential features of a problem at the onset of a discussion were invaluable. He was a member of the Medical Research Council from 1978 to 1982, chief examiner for the Royal College of Psychiatrists, a member - and often chairman - of many of its committees, and civilian consultant to the Royal Air Force.
Totally trusted by his peers, who consulted him about themselves and their close relatives, he gradually became the psychiatrists' psychiatrist. Although he had many important patients, Bob treated everyone alike, with his calm, unruffled manner.
Janet Frame, who had some 200 ECTs in New Zealand and had just been saved from having a leucotomy, remained eternally grateful to Cawley, and he continued to have an active correspondence with her - as he did with other patients whose life and sanity he saved and who often became his friends.
After he retired from the Maudsley and King's, Bob worked at the Charter Nightingale Hospital, where he rapidly established himself as one of its more influential figures. Just as the Maudsley had named a department after him, Charter honoured him by calling their halfway house the Robert Cawley House.
In 1991, he delivered the annual Charter lecture, entitled Psychiatry Is More Than A Science, a masterly expose of his personal philosophy based on his experiences of science and clinical psychiatry. Unfortunately, Bob had been plagued by ill-health since childhood and had his first severe myocardial infarct at the age of 42. During the last few years, angina impaired the quality of his life. He never complained about his symptoms, although he seemed to enjoy, at times, relating his medical adventures and misadventures. In a mischievous way, he seemed to find pleasure in having cheated death so often.
Bob read widely, loved poetry and was particularly fond of AE Houseman. He had many interests outside psychiatry - philosophy, opera and as a collector of water colours and period furniture. He is survived by his wife, Ann, who supported him devotedly through his illnesses.
Robert Hugh Cawley, professor of psychiatry, born August 16, 1924; died April 21, 1999
