Edward Charles Stirling

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This entry contains terms or descriptions of research activities and academic practices that are no longer considered appropriate.

In the 19th and 20th Centuries, it was a practice for researchers to relocate human remains, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ancestral remains, and significant cultural objects to museums and universities in Australia and overseas. Most likely this occurred without the full knowledge or consent of the Indigenous communities. The University acknowledges the harm caused by these past practices and recognises its obligation to respectfully engage with Indigenous communities and support the repatriation of ancestral remains and cultural artefacts where appropriate.

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Edward Charles Stirling was born on 8 September 1848 at Strathalbyn, South Australia to Edward Stirling (1804-1873) and his wife Harriett, née Taylor. Educated at the Collegiate School of St Peter and at Trinity College, Cambridge (B.A., 1870; M.A., 1873; M.B., 1874; M.D., 1880; Sc.D., 1910), he became a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in 1874 and was lecturer in physiology and assistant surgeon at St George's Hospital, London, and later surgeon at Belgrave Hospital for Children.

Returning to South Australia in 1875 he married Jane, daughter of Joseph Gilbert, on 27 June 1877, and took her to England for specialized medical treatment. In 1881 he settled permanently in South Australia where he became consulting surgeon to Adelaide Hospital, lecturer and later first professor of physiology at the University of Adelaide and a member of the University Council.

Stirling was dean of the Faculty of Medicine in 1908-19. In 1917 Stirling was knighted. He died on 20 March 1919 at his home St Vigeans, Mount Lofty, where he had established a famous garden, survived by his wife and five daughters; two sons predeceased him.