Religion: indeterminate
Name: Dr. Wortington
Classification: supporting character
First Appearance: Action Comics (vol. 1) #26 (July 1940): "Professor Cobalt's Clinic"
Creators: Jerry Siegel, Don Komisarow, Paul Cassidy
Number of Appearances: 1
Ally: Mary
Ally: Superman
Occupation: doctor
Gender: male
"Wortington" is not a typo or transcription error. Despite the fact that this is not an actual name known to belong to any real person, this is how this doctor's name was spelled in this story. Whether or not writer Siegel actually meant for this character to be named "Dr. Worthington" may be impossible to know.
Dr. Wortington's name was mentioned by another doctor in a Metropolis hospital as the only person who could save "Little Mary" from infant paralysis at the late stage Superman found the girl in. This recommendation takes place in panel 4 on page 11 of the Superman story in Action Comics #26 (July 1940).
After Superman arrives with Mary at a Metropolis hospital, he asks the attending physician about her pronosis. The doctor tells Superman, "Only Dr. Wortington, an expert on poliomyelitis, can save her. And he's fully two hundred miles away -- Could never get here in time!"
Superman, however, does not give up hope. He uses his powers to speed to Dr. Wortington's residence and then bring the doctor back to Metropolis. The doctor successfully treats Mary, thus saving her life.
Suggested links for further research about this character:
- https://www.comics.org/issue/876/
- http://comicbookdb.com/issue.php?ID=60147