born Feb. 28, 1911, Enniskillen, N.Ire.
died March 23, 1993, England
British surgeon and medical researcher.
He discovered Burkitt lymphoma , a lethal cancer of the lymphatic system with a high incidence among children. He showed that it was common in equatorial African regions where malaria and yellow fever are endemic and linked it to Epstein-Barr virus in children with immune systems depressed by chronic malaria. He later helped develop an effective chemotherapy treatment. Burkitt was also known for his theory that a high-fibre diet protects against colon cancer, publicized in his book Don't Forget Fibre in Your Diet (1979).