David Hardie (physician) facts for kids

Sir David Hardie (born June 4, 1856 – died November 11, 1945) was an important doctor from Australia. He was born in Scotland, near a town called Elgin. He went to school there and then studied medicine at the University of Aberdeen. After finishing his studies, he worked as a teacher for two years. In 1880, he started working as a general doctor.

In 1883, he married Marianne Jeans. They had a daughter named Helena in 1886. After getting his advanced medical degree in 1887, David Hardie and his family moved to Melbourne, Australia. Soon after, they settled in Brisbane. He became a registered doctor in Queensland in May 1887. They lived in Wickham Terrace. His son, John, was born in 1889, and his youngest daughter, Jean, was born in 1893.

A Doctor's Life

David Hardie became a specialist in treating illnesses that affected women and children. He was especially interested in how the climate affected health. In 1893, he became the president of the Medical Society of Queensland. This group later became part of the Australian Medical Association.

Exploring New Medical Ideas

In 1895, Dr. Hardie traveled to Europe with his family. He looked into the new work on x-rays by Wilhelm Röntgen. Even though he brought X-ray equipment back to Australia, he didn't continue working with it. During this trip, he also visited his family in Scotland. In 1902, he built a house called Firhall in Wickham Terrace, where he lived and worked.

Helping Many People

Dr. Hardie was a very good family doctor. People from all walks of life liked him. He received many awards and became the Queensland president of the British Medical Association in 1910 and again in 1920. He was also one of the first members of the University of Queensland Senate from 1911 to 1916. He led the Emmanuel College Council for many years, from 1911 to 1940.

Serving in War and Community

During World War I, Dr. Hardie joined the Royal Army Medical Corps. He served in France in 1915 and 1916. After the war, he became the first leader of the Presbyterian and Methodist Schools Association. He also volunteered as a doctor for many years at the Hospital for Sick Children, the Lady Bowen Hospital, and the Lady Lamington Hospital. He served on important health boards for a long time. He also wrote many articles and a book in 1893 about common diseases in Queensland and how the weather affected them.

Retirement and New Projects

Dr. Hardie stopped working as a full-time doctor in 1922. He then traveled to England and Switzerland to study how to treat tuberculosis. He did this for the Queensland government. In 1927, he became a founding member of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

He also helped start the Aerial Medical Service in 1928. This service was created by Rev. John Flynn. It helped bring doctors to people in remote parts of Australia. Dr. Hardie also supported the development of the pedal radio, which was invented by Alfred Traeger. This invention helped people in remote areas communicate.

Sir David Hardie passed away in Brisbane and was cremated. He had helped many different people, from important officials to everyday citizens. His wife and three children survived him. His son, John, also became a respected doctor. John received the Military Cross for his medical service during World War I.

Special Awards

Sir David Hardie received a special award called a Knighthood in 1913. This made him Queensland's first doctor to be given this honor. In 1919, the University of Aberdeen gave him an honorary degree for his achievements.