Alfred Jefferis Turner facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alfred Jefferis Turner
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Doctor Alfred Jefferis Turner
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| Born | 3 October 1861 Canton, China
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| Died | 29 December 1947 (aged 86) Brisbane, Australia
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| Occupation | Pediatrician, entomologist |
| Spouse(s) | Hilda Constance Roehricht |
| Parent(s) | Frederick Storrs-Turner, Sophia Mary Harmer |
Alfred Jefferis Turner was a kind doctor who helped children. He was born in Canton, China, on October 3, 1861. He later moved to Brisbane, Australia, where he passed away on December 29, 1947.
Dr. Turner was a pediatrician, which means he was a doctor who specialized in treating children. He was also an amateur entomologist, someone who studies insects. His father was a missionary named Frederick Storrs-Turner.
In 1895, Dr. Turner was the first to bring diphtheria antitoxin to Australia. This medicine helped fight a serious disease. He lived in Highgate Hill, Brisbane, and many people knew him by the friendly nickname "Gentle Annie."
A special place called the Jefferis Turner Centre was opened in 1952. It was named after him to help mothers and children. Later, in 1986, it started helping children with intellectual disabilities by giving them short breaks and care. This center is in a historic building called Fairy Knoll in Ipswich.
Dr. Turner's Medical Work
Dr. Turner studied medicine at University College London and was a top student. In 1888, he moved to Australia. The very next year, he became the first head doctor at the Royal Children's Hospital, Brisbane.
Dr. Turner's important research and influence helped save many children's lives in Queensland. He worked on several key health issues:
- He introduced a special medicine called diphtheria antitoxin.
- He helped treat hookworm-related sickness.
- He worked to prevent lead poisoning in children.
- He improved the quality of milk for babies.
- He taught new mothers about health and helped set up clinics for pregnant women.
Dr. Turner also played a big part in fighting the bubonic plague in 1900. In 1904, he made it a rule that doctors had to report cases of tuberculosis. Because he was so gentle and loved children, he earned the nickname "Gentle Annie."
Studying Insects
Besides being a doctor, Alfred Jefferis Turner was also an amateur entomologist. This means he loved studying insects, especially moths and butterflies (which are called Lepidoptera).
He collected more than 50,000 moth specimens during his life. He later gave this huge collection to the CSIRO (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research) in Canberra.
