Biographical entry
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Biographical entry
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Dunhill, Thomas Peel (1876 - 1957)CVO, CMG, KCVO, GCVO |
| Surgeon |
| Born: 3 December 1876 Tragowel, Victoria, Australia. Died: 22 December 1957 Hampstead, England?. |
| (Sir) Thomas Peel Dunhill was a leading Australian surgeon, who in 1907 undertook ground-breaking treatment for exopthalmic goiter, by removal of the thyroid gland. Within three years he had carried out over 312 similar operations with a mortality rate of only 1%. This was an outstanding achievement as the mortality rate of thyroidectomies in London was at least 30%. Dunhill also pioneered many other techniques and delivered papers on his surgical treatments to the Royal Society of Medicine in London. In Australia he worked at St Vincent’s Hospital in Melbourne then moved to St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London in 1920. While in England he was surgeon to several of the monarchy, including George V. |
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After completing studies in pharmacy, Thomas Peel Dunhill decided to take up medicine and majored in obstetrics and gynaeocology. His first position after graduating (1903) was as resident at the (Royal) Melbourne Hospital and this saw his interests change to endocrinology. In 1905 he joined the out-patients department at St Vincent’s Hospital. Within a year he was appointed surgeon to the department and began a distinguished career in thyroid surgery. By 1911 he was the leading thyroid surgeon in Australasia and was invited to visit hospitals in England and America. When World War I broke out, Thomas Dunhill was appointed major to the 1st Australian General Hospital. There he worked with many English surgeons and impressed them with his brilliant surgical skills. Within a year of returning to Australia, Dunhill was asked to join the professional surgical unit at St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London. He accepted, became their leading surgeon and England’s best thyroid surgeon, and spent the rest of his working life there. In 1928 Dunhill was appointed surgeon to George V and to all monarchs that followed to Elizabeth II (extra surgeon). Thomas Dunhill was one of the most awarded surgeons of the time. He received CVO, CMG, KCVO and GCVO, as well as fellowships to the College of Surgeons of Australasia and the Royal College of Surgeons of England (honorary). Chronology
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Published by The University of Melbourne eScholarship Research Centre on ASAPWeb, 1994 - 2007 Originally published 1994-1999 by Australian Science Archives Project, 1999-2006 by the Australian Science and Technology Heritage Centre Disclaimer, Copyright and Privacy Policy Submit any comments, questions, corrections and additions Prepared by: Acknowledgements Updated: 26 February 2007 http://www.asap.unimelb.edu.au/bsparcs/biogs/P001071b.htm |