biographies

Morton, Francis William Watson (1857 - 1930)

L.R.C.P. et S. (Edin.)

Born
1857
Auburn, Victoria, Australia
Died
26 January 1930
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.


FRANCIS WILLIAM WATSON MORTON
(1896 - 1917)

Francis William Watson Morton, always known as "F.W.W." Morton, was born in 1857 in the suburb of Auburn, the son of William Nassau Morton, a Melbourne merchant. He was educated at the Hawthorn Grammar School, a private school (long since defunct) situated in Power Street, Hawthorn. It is interesting to remember this small school in the last quarter of the 19th Century exerted an educational influence in Melbourne much more important that its size might suggest. During this time its Headmaster was Martin Irving who had arrived in Melbourne in 1856 as the second Professor of Classics in the University of Melbourne, resigning from that position in 1871 to become Headmaster of Wesley College, again resigning to take over the Hawthorn Grammar School. Irving was the son of Edward Irving who founded the Irvingite sect and was the good friend of Thomas Carlyle - that Edward Irving "who seemed superlatively happy on his wedding jaunt, bore with Carlyle’s 'gloomy humours' and emitted jovial bursts of laughter at my surly, sarcastic and dyspeptic utterances". Hawthorn Grammar School flourished under Professor Irving and many of its pupils subsequently reached eminence. In the world of politics were Sir George Fairbairn and Sir Stanley Argyle - one of the few medical Premiers of Victoria and one of its pioneer radiologists; perhaps the most distinguished old Hawthorn Grammarian was the eminent Melbourne physician Sir Richard Stawell.

Morton commenced medicine at Melbourne and subsequently proceeded to Edinburgh, obtaining the triple qualification in 1882. He then went to America as surgeon on the steamship "Australia" and practised for two years in Toronto with his uncle Dr. E. Morton. Returning to Melbourne in 1884 he became assistant to Dr. O.V. Lawrence, later starting on his own account in the same suburb and building up a very large general practice; this he carried on unremittingly for 28 years, after which he confined his practice to Collins Street. In 1896 he was elected to the Women’s Staff and remained thereon for 21 years. Among his colleagues during this time were Balls Headley, Felix Meyer, M.U. O’Sullivan, Dunbar Hooper, Rothwell Adam and R.H. Fetherston.

For 42 years he held the position of Medical Officer of Health to the City of Fitzroy, gave devoted service to the Melbourne District Nursing Society, and it was through his persuasion and assistance that the Church of England founded St. Ives private hospital, for many years successfully managed by the Sisters of the Community of The Holy Name. He was an ardent churchman, and in 1927 became a Lay Canon of St. Paul’s Cathedral. From the commencement of practice in Fitzroy he identified himself with St. Mark’s Church and was a member of the vestry of that church until 1893 when he joined St Peter’s at Eastern Hill. It may be recalled that R.T. Tracy - one of the medical founders of the Women’s Hospital also first practised in Fitzroy, was an active member of St. Mark’s Church in that suburb and subsequently, like Morton, joined St. Peter’s. In May 1930 the Archbishop of Brisbane dedicated in St. Peter’s sanctuary a panel bearing the carved inscription "In affectionate memory of Francis William Watson Morton, a beloved physician, who in Christ found the secret of a wise ministry of healing and who entered into rest Sunday, January 26th 1930, this panelling was set up, R.I.P."

Morton was always a strong force in any movement for advancing and uplifting the profession. He was a member of the Council of the Victorian Branch of the B.M.A. and was its representative at Sheffield in 1908. Up to the time when deafness became a serious handicap, Morton was a regular attendant at scientific meetings and was one of the first advocates in Melbourne of the open administration of ether.

A tall man of splendid and handsome physique, fond of all games, he had been a good footballer and played vigorous tennis until quite late in life. He was more than a sound surgeon and an excellent general practitioner; he was a steadfast friend and spent himself unceasingly on his thousands of patients, some of the poorest in the city, in the long years of his Fitzroy practice.

F.W.W. Morton was a fine type of medical man with a strong sense of service.

Archival/Heritage Resources

Royal Women's Hospital Archives

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

Prepared by: Robyn Waymouth

Created: 1 August 2006, Last modified: 27 November 2006