Americans today have access to the finest psychiatric care on earth. We must see that all Americans have access to it … that the cost of psychiatric care be covered under any health insurance program that may evolve.
Dr. Talkington was born in Waco, Texas. His first year of college was spent at Howard College, Birmingham (1926–27). He transferred to Baylor College (1927–30) and went on to medical school there, graduating in 1934. He interned at Howat Hospital, Erie, Pennsylvania (1934–35) and then started psychiatric residency at Taunton State Hospital, Massachusetts (1935–37), followed by a residency in neurology at the Philadelphia Orthopedic Hospital and Infirmary for Nervous Diseases (1937–38). He returned to Dallas to take a staff position at Timberlawn, a private psychiatric hospital.
With the onset of World War II, Dr. Talkington, who had been a reserve officer in the U.S. Army, went on active duty, first at Fort Sam Houston in Texas and later in England, achieving the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. In 1946, he returned to Timberlawn, later becoming psychiatrist-in-chief (1950–68). He continued as a consultant to the Army.
Dr. Talkington was involved in medical school teaching throughout his professional career, first at Baylor University and then at the University of Texas, Southwestern Medical School, advancing in the ranks from instructor in 1938 to professor in 1969. Timberlawn had an approved psychiatric residency program and also affiliated with several schools of social work. He contributed to the psychiatric literature.
Dr. Talkington was active in local and state psychiatric endeavors and organizations. He helped develop the Texas Mental Health Code. He was a member of the American Medical Association, the American College of Psychiatrists, the Central Neuropsychiatry Society (President 1970–71), and the National Association of Private Psychiatric Hospitals. He was President of nine other organizations.
He served the APA in various capacities, including as district branch president (1965–66) and recorder and speaker of the Assembly of District Branches (1969–70). He was active on the APA Insurance Commission and then Chairman of the APA Task Force on Prepaid Health Insurance (1962–1969).
Dr. Talkington served as President of the American Psychiatric Association (1972–73).