Leon John Corbin, or Cohen, was born in 1910 in New York City. His father, Henry, was a manufacturer, and from 1931, a decorator. He studied at New York University and then received a bursary from there to study at the University of Glasgow from 1930 . In his first year he took classes in Chemistry, Physics, Anatomy, Zoology and Botany. The following session he took classes in Anatomy and Physiology. In 1932-1933 he studied Materia Medica, Pathology and Surgery. In 1933-1934 he attended medicine lectures and clinics as well as Ophthalmology before going on to study Midwifery, Gynaecology and Diseases of Children in 1934-1935. He then attended classes in Medicine and Obstetrics before graduating MB ChB in 1936. It was during his time at Glasgow University that he founded the Varsity Band, made up of musicians who were past or present students. The band performed at many student day parades, dances and celebrations. They were also aired on the BBC.
In 1939 Corbin was appointed as a medical officer of the United States Army and served as a pathologist for almost four years in the Pacific zone of combat during World War II. In the 1950s he enrolled in post-graduate training and completed a residency in radiology, becoming a diplomat in Radiology, followed by election to become a Fellow of the American College of Radiology. He continued in government service, including a period in the Veterans' Administration Facility before retiring in 1996 .
In 2000 The Department of the Army, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research in Washington recognised Corbin's earlier research in the use of plasma as a wound dressing and they, along with the American Red Cross, were further developing this research to produce a dry fibrin sealant bandage. He died on 24 December 2004 .
From the guide to the Papers of Leon John Corbin, 1910-2004, medical graduate, University of Glasgow, Scotland, 1932-1942, (Glasgow University Archives Service)
