biographies

O’Sullivan, Michael Ulick ( - c. 1917)

F.R.C.S.I.

Born
County Kerry, Ireland
Died
c. 1917
St. Kilda, Victoria, Australia
Occupation
Gynaecologist, Medical practitioner and Obstetrician

Details

Transcription of item written by Dr Colin Macdonald and published in "The Book of Remembrance", The Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, 1956.


MICHAEL ULICK O’SULLIVAN
1888 - 1914

An outstanding name in the history of the Hospital is Michael Ulick O’Sullivan, a native of County Kerry, who came to Victoria in 1881, three years after had had qualified L.R.C.S. in Edinburgh. There was little indication in those days of the eminence to which he was eventually to rise. He first practiced for three years at Numurkah and then at South Melbourne, but in 1885 moved to Collins Street where in a few years he had raised his reputation from that of a general practitioner to a height in gynaecology that probably had not been reached before in Australia. He was a brilliant, decisive surgeon, had a wide knowledge of women’s diseases, and in addition to having great skill in operating possessed an inventive mind.

He had all the qualities of a great surgeon. There was a finish and neatness about his operations which belonged to a master of technique. His eminence is the more notable as in effect he learnt surgery unaided. He introduced to Victoria the then modern method of plastic repair of the perineum and cervix, conservative procedures for the rectification of misplacement of the uterus, and a number of other per vaginal procedures. At the Women’s Hospital he banned craniotomy, and in its place introduced Caesarean section. He was the first surgeon at the Women’s to change into a white linen suit when operating, and the first to use rubber gloves.

He was elected to the Obstetrical side of the Women’s Hospital in 1887, holding this post until 1891 when he was appointed an honorary surgeon of the gynaecological Department. Later he was elected Chairman of the honorary staff which responsible position he held for ten years. He was also for a period gynaecological surgeon at St. Vincent’s Hospital, and took a great interest in the design of the Hospital buildings.

In addition to these busy duties, and to the strains of his extensive private practice, O’Sullivan conducted a large private hospital, "Tower House" at the corner of Spring & Flinders Streets, in association with Dr. Charles Ryan and Sister Madge Kelly.

The severe pressure of hospital work and private practice eventually took toll of his health and in 1905 he made a world tour. While visiting Ireland he was elected a Fellow of its Royal College of Surgeons. In Italy the Pope, after an audience, created him a Knight Commander of St. Gregory, for O’Sullivan was a staunch supporter of the Roman Catholic Church.

He retired from the Women’s in 1914 and three years later died at his mansion home "Eildon" Grey St., St. Kilda, of angina pectoris. Michael O’Sullivan was at the turn of the century one of the world’s great gynaecologists. He was a striking personality inside and outside the profession of medicine, by which he was much honoured and respected. Beneath a serious exterior, at times not far removed from sternness, was concealed a sense of humour and kindliness quite unsuspected by those who did not know him well. He married, in 1883, Ellie Feehan, daughter of Richard Feehan who owned the Moonee Valley racecourse. They had three sons. Two were doctors - Richard Francis O’Sullivan F.R.C.S. Eng. onetime Senior Gynaecologist at St. Vincent’s Hospital, and Dr. Brendan O’Sullivan, who practiced for many years in Victoria Parade, East Melbourne. The remaining son, Ulysses, was a Melbourne architect.

Archival/Heritage Resources

Royal Women's Hospital Archives

  • Book of Remembrance, 1956 - 1975; Royal Women's Hospital Archives [ Details... ].

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O'Sullivan, Michael Ulick
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Prepared by: Robyn Waymouth

Created: 31 July 2006, Last modified: 26 November 2006