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November 1918: Emerging from the Great War

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Adelaide Medical School

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Professor

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Archibald Watson

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Last NameWatsonFirst NameArchibaldTitleProfessorDoctorUnique IDUA-00025143Date of Birth27 July 1849Date of Death30 July 1940Biography

Archibald Watson was born on 27 July 1849 at Tarcutta, New South Wales, eldest son of Sydney Grandison Watson, pastoralist, and his wife Isabella (d.1861), née Robinson. Educated at a national school in Sydney and in 1861-67 at Scotch College, Melbourne, Archibald excelled in scripture and was a champion light-weight boxer.

In 1873 he travelled to England and Germany where he studied medicine at the Georg-August Universität of Göttingen (M.D., 1878) and the Université de Paris (M.D., 1880). In England he obtained the licentiate (1880) of the Society of Apothecaries, London, and became a member (1882) and fellow (1884) of the Royal College of Surgeons.

Appointed Elder professor of anatomy at the University of Adelaide in 1885, Watson also became lecturer in pathological anatomy (1887-1903) and in operative surgery (1887-1919). Using vivid language and rapid blackboard sketches, he taught with dramatic intensity. Following a dispute in 1895 over a nursing appointment involving Margaret Graham, the government did not reappoint the board of the (Royal) Adelaide Hospital and the honorary doctors resigned in protest. Watson became consultant surgeon, hoping to continue the teaching of medical students there. After the arrival of Dr William Ramsay Smith and Dr Leith Napier, the new board dismissed Watson for criticizing Napier, but later reinstated him.

He died on 30 July 1940 on Thursday island and was buried there with Anglican rites. A memorial lecture at the invitation of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons commemorates him; his portrait by W.B. McInnes hangs in the University's anatomy department.

Biographical SourceAdapted from The Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 12, (MUP), 1990.

Text

WATSON, Archibald

Professor Archibald Watson - The University - Requesting that Professor Wilson may be appointed Examiner in 2nd Year Anatomy

Professor Archibald Watson - Request for Syringe Table and Shelves for the Anatomical Department

Professor Archibald Watson - To the Chancellor - Informing of his discharge from the Hospital

Professor A Watson - The University - Resigning position as Lecturer on Pathology

Professor A Watson - The University - Regarding skeleton used by students at last commemoration

Professor A Watson - The University - Concerning Gas supply to New Anatomical Buildings

Professor A Watson - University - Possible reduction in expenditure for 1903

E W Way MB - Adelaide - Forwarding account for pelvis and foetal skull selected by Professor Watson

Professor A Watson - Maritzburg - Requesting extension of leave of absence

Professor Archibald Watson - Durban - Application for extension of leave of absence

Professor Archibald Watson - The University - Requesting leave of absence

Professor Archibald Watson - The University - Facilities for Students Studying During Long Vacation

Professor Archibald Watson - The University - Recommending Mr W R Cavenagh as Pro-Sector for 1890

Professor Archibald Watson - The University - Requisition for Case for Museum

Professor Archibald Watson - The University - Spirit and Glass Jars for Medical School

Professor Archibald Watson - The University - Grant for New Hose for Dissecting Room

Professor Archibald Watson - The University - Alterations in MB Regulations

Sir Thomas Elder - Adelaide - Requesting the Council Allow Dr Watson to Accompany Him to England

Dr Archibald Watson - The University - Permission to Accompany Sir Thomas Elder to England

Dr Archibald Watson - The University - Asking Council to Purchase Case of Surgical Instruments

Professor Archibald Watson - The University - Specimen Jars for Pathological Specimens

Dr Archibald Watson - The University - Engagement of Captain Carey During Illness of Marcean

Image

Archibald Watson, 1921

Archibald Watson, 1910

Archibald Watson, 1906

Medical Group, Faculty of Medicine, c1906

University Teaching Staff, 1906

Second Year Medical Students, 1896

First Year Medical Students, 1894

Professor Archibald Watson, c1885

Professor Archibald Watson, 1874

Object

Compass and Lodestone

POSITION

Position TitleElder Professor of anatomyStart Date of Person1884End Date of Person1919

RELATIONSHIPS

CollectionNovember 1918: Emerging from the Great WarOrganisationAdelaide Medical SchoolPositionProfessorExternal LinkArchibald Watson Diaries & Correspondence - MSS 0261