Archibald Young was born in 1913 into a distinguished
medical family. His father was a surgeon of
international repute who followed Macewen to the
Regius Chair of Surgery in Glasgow. On his mother's
side he claimed descent from the famous Highland
cateran Rob Roy. The family lived in great style in the
fashionable Park area of Glasgow, and entertained
Einstein on his visit to the University.
Young was educated at the High School of Glasgow
and at St John's College Cambridge before returning
to Glasgow to complete his medical training and take
a number of junior clinical appointments in surgery
and septics. When the Second World War broke out
Young joined the RAMC and saw active service in
North Africa and Italy. At the end of hostilities he was
appointed to the Staff of the Anatomy Department in
Glasgow, which remained his base for most of his career.