Allan, Robert Marshall (1886 - 1946)

Summary

Robert Allan was appointed Director of Obstetrical Research, Melbourne in 1925. From 1929-1946 he was Professor of Obstetrics at the University of Melbourne and introduced the University's first diploma in obstetrics and gynaecology. Allan was awarded the Military Cross (MC) for his distinguished war service.

Details

Obtaining medical qualifications from the University of Edinburgh, Robert Allen began to specialize in obstetrics and gynaecology at the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin. In 1914 he was enlisted as a temporary lieutenant in the Royal Army Medical Corps and won the Military Cross for his service in Mesopotamia. He was eventually invalided back to Queensland in 1916, but briefly returned to military service (Australian Imperial Force) again in 1918. Allan came back to Australia towards the end of 1919 and once again specialised in obstetrics and gynaecology in Brisbane hospitals until 1925. A two year post as director of the Obstetrics Research Committee saw Robert Allan move to Melbourne. When the post finished he remained in Melbourne and started up a private practice (1928). Over the next 15 years Allan held many posts including honorary staff member of the Royal Women's Hospital, honorary obstetrician to the Melbourne District Nursing Society, examiner of the Midwives' Board, founding Chair in obstetrics at the University of Melbourne, State Director of obstetrics, consultant to the Women's and Queen Victoria hospitals, central councillor of the Victorian Bush Nursing Association, membership and presidency of several boards and organizations. Allan also travelled widely during this time to increase his knowledge and teach others. He became a foundation fellow of the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (FCOG) in London and honorary fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS), Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh (FRCSE) and Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS). The University of Melbourne named its top prize in obstetrics after him (Marshall Allan Prize) and the Royal Women's Hospital named their library in his honour.

Chronology

1909?

Education - Bachelor of Medicine (MB), University of Edinburgh, Scotland

1910

Education - Bachelor of Surgery with Honours (ChB (Hons)), University of Edinburgh

1911

Education - Diploma of Licentiate in midwifery, the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin, Ireland

1911 - 1914

Career position - Assistant Master at Rotunda Hospital in Dublin

1914

Education - Doctor of Medicine (MD) conferred in absentia by the University of Edinburgh

1914 - 1916

Military service - First World War - Captain, Royal Army Medical Corps

1917

Career position - Medical Superintendent, Brisbane General Hospital

c. 1918

Career position - Fellow, Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS)

1918

Military service - First World War - Captain, Australian Medical Corps, Australian Imperial Force

1919 - 1925

Career position - Specialist in Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Brisbane

9 November 1920

Life event - Married Maryanne Eleanor Dines at St Augustine's Church in Hamilton

1925 - 1927

Career position - Director of the Obstetrical Research Committee in Melbourne

c. 1925 - c. 1927

Career position - Assistant Gynaecologist at Brisbane General Hospital

c. 1925 - c. 1927

Career position - Honorary Obstetrician, Lady Bowen Hospital, Brisbane

1928 -

Career position - Private practice in Melbourne

1929 - 1946

Career position - Professor of Obstetrics, University of Melbourne

1937

Career position - President, British Medical Association, Victorian branch

1944 -

Career position - Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Melbourne

1944

Career position - Chair of the Federal inquiry into the medical aspects of the decline in the birth rate

Related entries

Archival resources

The University of Melbourne Archives

• Robert Marshall Allan - Records, 1925 - 1947; The University of Melbourne Archives. Details

Published resources

Book Sections

• Forster, Frank M. C., 'Allan, Robert Marshall (1886-1946), physician and professor of obstetrics' in Australian dictionary of biography, volume 7: 1891 - 1939 A-Ch, Bede Nairn and Geoffrey Serle, eds (Melbourne: Melbourne University Press, 1979), pp. 37-39. http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A070040b.htm. Details

Resources

• Wikidata, http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q21537515. Details
• VIAF - Virtual International Authority File, OCLC, https://viaf.org/viaf/93550954. Details
• CA 2001 Australian Imperial Force, Base Records Office, 'NAA: B2455, Allan R M', B2455 First Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1914-1920, National Archives of Australia, RecordSearch, https://RecordSearch.naa.gov.au/scripts/AutoSearch.asp?O=I&Number=3028554. Details
• 'Allan, R Marshall (1886-)', Trove, National Library of Australia, 2009, https://nla.gov.au/nla.party-574512. Details