Arthur Duncan Gardner, FRCP, FRCS (28 March 1884 – 28 January 1977) was a British physician and scientist known for his contributions to the development of penicillin and his role as the Regius Professor of Medicine at the University of Oxford from 1948 to 1954.
However, after completing his degree, he chose to pursue a career in Medicine, diverging from his family's law practice.
In 1936, Gardner assumed the position of Professor of Bacteriology under Howard Florey at the Sir William Dunn School of Pathology in Oxford.
Gardner's significant contributions to medical science, combined with his extensive experience, led to his appointment as the Regius Professor of Medicine at the University of Oxford, a prestigious position bestowed upon him by King George VI.
Some skeptics questioned the influence of his friendship with the then-Prime Minister, Clement Attlee, whom Gardner had met during his undergraduate years at University College, as a potential factor in his appointment.