Person

Swift, Brian Herbert (1893 - 1969)

Kt MC

Born
2 February 1893
Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Died
19 May 1969
Menindie, South Australia, Australia
Occupation
Gynaecologist and Obstetrician

Summary

Brian Swift was an obstetrician and gynaecologist who introduced a number of techniques to gynaecological surgery in Australia and pioneered the use of the Papanicolaou smear. In 1945 he established a fertility clinic at the Adelaide Hospital where he was Honorary Gynaecologist. His research included investigating the connection between vitamin deficiency in the diet and gynaecological problems. Swift was active in professional organisations, serving terms as President of the South Australia Branch of the British Medical Association and Chairman of the Australian Regional Council of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, London.

Details

Chronology

1914
Education - Bachelor of Arts (BA), University of Cambridge
1916
Education - MB BCh, University of Cambridge
1916 - 1918
Career position - Served with the Royal Army Medical Corps
1918
Award - Military Medal (MC)
1918 - 1919
Career position - Served with the Royal Air Force
1922 - 1925?
Career position - Senior Obstetrician, Queen's Home, Queen Victoria Maternity Hospital, Adelaide
1924 - 1925
Career position - Tutor in obstetrics, University of Adelaide
1926
Education - Fellow, Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh
1928 -
Career position - Honorary Senior Obstetrician, Queen Victoria Maternity Hospital, Adelaide
1929 - 1939
Career position - Honorary Assistant Gynaecologist, Adelaide Hospital
1931
Career position - Fellow Royal Australasian College of Surgeons
1936
Education - MD, University of Cambridge
1937
Award - Fellow, Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, London
1940 - 1943
Military service - Served with the Australian Army Medical Corps
1940 - 1953
Career position - Honorary Gynaecologist, Adelaide Hospital
1943 - 1945
Career position - Consultant gynaecologist, Royal Australian Air Force
1945 - 1946
Career position - President, South Australia Branch, British Medical Association
1947
Career position - Founding Member, Australian Regional Council, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
1948 - 1952
Career position - Lecturer in gynaecology, University of Adelaide
1953 - 1956
Career position - Chairman, Australian Regional Council, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, London
1954
Award - Knight Bachelor (Kt)

Related Corporate Bodies

Published resources

Book Sections

  • Hicks, Neville; Harford, Jane, 'Swift, Sir Brian Herbert (1893-1969), Obstetrician and Gynaecologist' in Australian dictionary of biography, volume 16: 1940 - 1980 Pik-Z, John Ritchie and Diane Langmore, eds (Melbourne: Melbourne University Press, 2002), pp. 352-354. http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A160423b.htm. Details

Resources

See also

  • McDonald, Ian Alexander; Cope, Ian and Forster, Frank M. C., Super ardua: the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in Australia, 1929-1979 (Melbourne: Australian Council, RCOG, 1981). Details

Helen Cohn

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