Francis John Drake facts for kids

Francis John Drake (born December 12, 1860 – died December 17, 1929) was an important doctor in Australia. He was known for being the head doctor, called the resident medical superintendent, at the Launceston Hospital.

Drake was born in 1860 in a place called St. Kilda, which is part of Melbourne, Australia. When he was 18, in 1879, he started his first job as a messenger at the Melbourne Public Library. He earned £50 a year.

He went to Scotch College from 1875 to 1880. Later, he studied at the University of Melbourne. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1886 and a Master of Arts degree in 1887. In 1888, he finished his medical studies at the Melbourne Medical School.

Medical Career

By 1896, Dr. Drake held two important jobs in Tasmania. He was the head surgeon, or surgeon superintendent, at the Launceston General Hospital. He started this job on January 1, 1890. For this role, he earned £400 a year, and his living costs like housing, food, and heating were also covered.

At the same time, Dr. Drake was also the medical officer at the Contagious Diseases Hospital in Launceston. This meant he helped care for patients with illnesses that could easily spread to others.

X-ray Pioneer

In 1896, something very exciting happened at Launceston Hospital. Dr. Drake and another doctor, Dr. John Ramsay, were part of the very first public demonstration of X-rays in Tasmania. This amazing event was led by Frank Styant Browne, who showed how X-rays could see inside the body. This was a big step forward in medicine!

Later Life and Legacy

Dr. Drake left his job as surgeon-superintendent at Launceston Hospital in February 1898. He continued his medical work and became a specialist in treating tuberculosis. This was a serious lung disease at the time.

He returned to Launceston General Hospital as surgical superintendent in 1921. Dr. Francis John Drake passed away on December 17, 1929. He was buried at Box Hill Cemetery. His son, Dr. F.L. Drake, also became a doctor in Tasmania.