Edward Charles Stirling facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir Edward Stirling
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| Member of the South Australian House of Assembly | |
| In office 8 April 1884 – 18 March 1887 |
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| Succeeded by | Lewis Cohen |
| Constituency | North Adelaide |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 8 September 1848 Strathalbyn, South Australia, Australia |
| Died | 20 March 1919 (aged 70) Mount Lofty, South Australia, Australia |
| Cause of death | Bronchitis |
| Spouse |
Jane Gilbert
(m. 1877) |
| Relations | John Lancelot Stirling (brother) |
| Children | Five daughters including Harriet Adelaide Stirling and two sons |
| Parents |
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| Alma mater | Trinity College, Cambridge |
| Occupation | Scientist |
Sir Edward Charles Stirling (8 September 1848 – 20 March 1919) was an important Australian scientist. He was an anthropologist, which means he studied human societies and cultures. He also became the first professor of physiology at the University of Adelaide. Physiology is the study of how living things work.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Edward Stirling was born in Strathalbyn, South Australia. He was the oldest son of Edward Stirling and Harriett Taylor. His father was also a well-known politician in South Australia.
Edward went to school at St Peter's College, Adelaide. Later, he studied at Trinity College, Cambridge in England. He earned several degrees there, including a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in natural science. He also became a doctor, earning his Bachelor of Medicine (M.B.) and Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degrees. In 1874, he became a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS). This is a special honour for surgeons.
A Career of Firsts
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After finishing his studies, Stirling worked as a surgeon in London. In 1875, he returned to South Australia. He married Jane Gilbert in 1877. They had a daughter, Jane Harriet, in London. In 1881, Stirling moved back to Adelaide for good. The next year, he became a lecturer in physiology at the University of Adelaide. He helped to start the university's medical school.
Fighting for Women's Rights
In 1884, Stirling was elected to the South Australian House of Assembly. This is like being a member of parliament. He served for three years. During this time, he became a strong supporter of women's rights. He was the first person in Australia and New Zealand to propose a law for women's suffrage. This meant giving women the right to vote.
On 22 July 1885, he made a famous speech. He argued that women should have the same voting rights as men. He even quoted the ancient Greek thinker Plato to support his idea. He said that there was no natural difference between men and women that should stop them from helping to govern the country. Stirling had four daughters, and he wanted them to grow up in a fairer world.
In 1886, he introduced a formal bill for women's suffrage. Even though his bill did not pass right away, his efforts were important. A few years later, South Australia became the first place in Australia to give women the vote.
Stirling also believed in women's right to a good education. He taught at the Advanced School for Girls. He also pushed for women to be allowed into the medical school at Adelaide University. His five daughters all received excellent educations. His daughter Harriet later received an OBE for her work helping mothers and children. Another daughter, Jane, earned a science degree and played music in an orchestra.
Helping Children and the Museum
Edward Charles Stirling was the first President of the State Children's Council. This group helped look after children. His oldest daughter, Harriet, later became president too. She also started the Mothers and Babies Health Association.
Stirling had many other interests. He became the honorary director of the South Australian Museum in 1889. He helped to collect many interesting plants and animals. For example, in 1890, he traveled across Australia from Port Darwin to Adelaide. He collected specimens of the marsupial mole.
In 1893, he investigated a site called Lake Callabonna. Here, he found many ancient fossil bones. With another scientist, A. H. C. Zietz, he put together the full skeleton of a huge ancient marsupial called Diprotodon australis. They also found bones of a giant wombat and a bird similar to the New Zealand moa. Stirling and Zietz also described five new types of Australian lizards.
Stirling was also involved in collecting human remains of Indigenous Australians. In recent times, the Museum has been working to return these remains to their original communities.
Later Career and Legacy
In 1894, Stirling was the medical officer and anthropologist for the Horn Expedition to Central Australia. He wrote a large report on the Aboriginal people he met. He became the official director of the Adelaide museum in 1895. He built up an amazing collection there, especially things related to Aboriginal life.
In 1900, he became a professor of physiology at Adelaide University. He was very involved in university life for many years. He retired from the museum in 1912 but continued to help as an honorary curator. He planned to retire from the university at the end of 1919 but passed away on 20 March 1919 after a short illness.
Stirling was buried at the North Road Cemetery. He was survived by his wife and five daughters. His two sons had passed away before him.
Private Life and Family
In 1882, Edward Charles Stirling moved near the town of Stirling in the Adelaide Hills. This town was named after his father. He called his property "St Vigeans." He built a beautiful two-story house there. Over the years, he created one of Australia's best private botanical gardens. He brought in trees and shrubs from other parts of Australia and from overseas. He was a member of the Royal Horticultural Society of London, which helped him get many different plants. His gardens were famous for having some of South Australia's first rhododendrons. One new rhododendron variety was even named 'Mrs E C Stirling' after his wife.
Edward Charles Stirling and Jane Gilbert had seven children:
- Harriet Adelaide "Harrie" Stirling (1878–1943): A kind person who helped many people.
- Anna Florence Stirling (1879–1939)
- Jane Winifred "Jeannie" Stirling (1881–1966): She studied science and played the viola.
- (Alice) Mary Stirling (1884–1925)
- Nina Eliza Emmeline Stirling (1888–1976)
- Edward Taylor Stirling (1889–1897): Sadly, he died at age 7 after falling from a tree.
- Gilbert Lancelot Stirling (1893–1893): He died as a baby.
Edward's brother, John Lancelot Stirling, was also important in South Australian public life.
Honours and Awards
Sir Edward Stirling received many awards for his work. He was especially proud to become a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1893. This is a very high honour for scientists. In the same year, he also received the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG). He was given a gold medal from the Queen Regent of Holland in 1892 for his contributions to art and science. In 1910, he received an honorary Doctorate in Science from Trinity College Cambridge. He was also knighted in 1917, which means he was given the title "Sir."
Legacy
Stirling had many passions, including gardening, protecting animals, and helping children. He was a surgeon, a physiologist, an anthropologist, and a politician. He helped to grow the young medical school at the University of Adelaide. He also did important work developing the Adelaide museum. Stirling was also involved in creating the Flinders Chase sanctuary on Kangaroo Island. Sir Edward Stirling is remembered as one of Australia's best all-around scientists of his time.
