George Simpson (1899 – 1960) obstetrician and gynaecologist
Driven by a deep compassion for women, Simpson was a gifted clinician who championed home midwifery and argued for judicious intervention at a time when many doctors trusted almost everything to nature. He was an elder of the Presbyterian Church and lived his faith daily.
George Simpson, obstetrician and gynaecologist, was born on 14 May 1899 at Clifton, near Hamilton, Victoria, third of six children of Archibald Joseph Simpson, grazier, and his wife Mary, née Robertson, both Victorian born. George’s grandfather had been a moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria, and the boy came under the spiritual influence of two other Presbyterian ministers, John Andrew Barber and John Flynn. While boarding at Scotch College, Melbourne, he began a lifelong association with the family of the headmaster, W. S. Littlejohn.
Simpson’s boyhood spiritual mentor, Flynn, had asked him in 1927 to be medical adviser to the Australian Inland Mission. That year Simpson and Barber undertook a three-month survey by motorcar of the medical needs of the outback. Their report convinced the A.I.M.’s councillors to authorize in 1928 experimental flights for what became the Aerial Medical Service [Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) of Australia]. Simpson remained close to its administration for the rest of his life and presided over the federal council in 1947.
Driven by a deep compassion for women, Simpson was a gifted clinician who championed home midwifery and argued for judicious intervention at a time when many doctors trusted almost everything to nature. He was an elder of the Presbyterian Church and lived his faith daily. In 1957 he was appointed O.B.E. Nesta supported his outreach-work, and served as president of the Melbourne District Nursing Society in 1952-64.
Source : http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A160294b.htm
The Royal Women’s Hospital Melbourne – Biography : George Simpson
http://www.thewomenshistory.org.au/biogs/e000052b.htm
also
http://www.asap.unimelb.edu.au/bsparcs/biogs/P004724b.htm
Two men noted above :
John Barber – http://atributetoaustralianchristians.wordpress.com/2010/10/21/john-barber/
John Flynn – http://atributetoaustralianchristians.wordpress.com/2010/10/22/john-flynn/
George Simpson, an associate of John Flynn - http://atributetoaustralianchristians.wordpress.com/2010/10/31/john-flynns-associates/
The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) of Australia
Supporters of the project included the industrialist HV McKay, manufacturer of the Sunshine Harvester, Hudson Fysh at QANTAS, and, on the ground, Dr George Simpson, a young Melbourne doctor who had heard Flynn speak many years before.
http://www.flyingdoctor.net
More on HV McKay, manufacturer of the Sunshine Harvester
http://atributetoaustralianchristians.wordpress.com/2010/10/22/hugh-victor-mckay/
______________________________
Leave a Reply, comments are welcome.
