biographies

Adam, George Rothwell Wilson (1853 - 1925)

M.D. (Melb.), C.M. (Edin.)

Born
1853
Leeds, Yorkshire, England
Died
1925
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.


ROTHWELL ADAM
(1888 - 1913)

George Rothwell Wilson Adam, who succeeded Balls Headley as lecturer in obstetrics and diseases of women, held this important academic post for 14 years, being followed by Felix Meyer. Adam was born in Leeds, Yorkshire in 1853, the son of Rev. George Wilson Adam. The family migrated to New South Wales when Rothwell was very young, and after a period of ten years, moved to Victoria. Educated at the Scotch College, Melbourne, where Dr. Alexander Morrison - one of the famous Aberdonian family of Schoolmasters - was the principal, Rothwell, on leaving Scotch, took up farming. But the life on the land did not prove attractive, and before reaching the age of twenty, he left Australia to study medicine at Edinburgh. Here he graduated in 1877 and
his first resident appointment was that of house physician at the Edinburgh Maternity Hospital under Sir Halliday Croom and Milne Murray. In 1878 and 1879 he was house physician and surgeon at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary. In 1880 he returned to Melbourne and commenced practice in East Melbourne, being appointed assistant surgeon at the Alfred Hospital shortly after his arrival. In the early days of his practice, full use was made of the experience gained in Scotland and Adam sought every opportunity to render himself especially proficient in obstetrics and gynaecology. In 1888 he was elected an honorary obstetrician to the Women’s Hospital and worked assiduously and with characteristic energy in the obstetric department until appointed honorary gynaecological surgeon in 1895. His influence on the hospital was profound, and during the 36 years until his retirement from the staff in 1913, he was responsible for much of its progress. As a teacher his success was noteworthy. He was held in affection by students, patients and colleagues, and his lectures have been described as patterns of excellence, logical, well-elaborated and admirably delivered. The manner in which he applied the principles of correct ethical behaviour, both in his professional and private life, had a considerable influence on all those, undergraduates and graduates alike, with whom he came in contact.

In the days before the Victorian Branch of the British Medical Association was merged with the Medical Society of Victoria, Adam was President of the latter body. He was chosen as President of the section of obstetrics and gynaecology at the Australasian Medical Congress in Sydney in 1911 and was the first President of the Melbourne Gynaecological and Obstetrical Society, a body which dissolved on the formation of the Royal College. In 1922 he was invited to deliver the Listerian Oration of the South Australian Branch of the B.M.A. and chose as his subject the influence of Listerism on obstetrics. The oration was a masterly contribution to the obstetrical teaching of the day and bears the stamp of a skilled and convincing writer; it concludes with a Wordsworth couplet -

"Come forth into the light of things

Let Nature be your teacher".

Adam was one of the first of the honorary staff of the Women’s to emphasise the "aseptic conscience". The Listerian orators are presented with a medal, and Rothwell Adam valued his very highly.

Adam was a notable instance of a man who, having embarked on an occupation which proves uncongenial, has the energy and determination to follow out a new course of a totally different kind, eventually to attain a well earned position of eminence.

As Chairman of the Hospital staff he made effective use of his term of office; his task was not at all times easy, but his unfailing courtesy, his desire to be fair to all, his patience and understanding won from the staff unqualified respect and regard. He was not given to demonstration; he kept his feelings well in hand and was never known to have lost his temper or to have made an ungenerous criticism of a member of his profession.

He had a dry humour of his own and could both tell and enjoy a good story. As an examiner he tempered justice with mercy and being a shrewd appraiser of values, was quick to sum up a candidate’s knowledge.

Rothwell Adam, who died in 1925, was for many years one of Australia’s leading obstetricians and gynaecologists and he had as a rich reward the confidence and esteem of all who knew him.

Archival/Heritage Resources

Royal Women's Hospital Archives

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

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Prepared by: Robyn Waymouth

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