author
Sir James W. (James William) Barrett
1862–1945
An energetic Melbourne eye surgeon and public figure, he moved easily between medicine, war service, education, and civic life. He became one of Australia’s best-known ophthalmologists and later led the University of Melbourne as vice-chancellor and chancellor.
1 Audiobook
The Australian Army Medical Corps in Egypt An Illustrated and Detailed Account of the Early Organisation and Work of the Australian Medical Units in Egypt in 1914-1915
by Sir James W. (James William) Barrett, P. E. (Percival Edgar) Deane
About the author
Born in South Melbourne in 1862, he studied at the University of Melbourne and later at King's College London before building a long career as an ophthalmologist in Melbourne. He was closely associated with the Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital and also taught in medicine, becoming a prominent voice in public affairs as well as medical life.
During the First World War, he served in senior medical roles with the Australian forces and Red Cross in Egypt, England, and France. Beyond clinical work, he helped found the Bush Nursing Association with his sister Edith and was deeply involved with the University of Melbourne, serving as vice-chancellor from 1931 to 1934 and chancellor from 1935 to 1939.
Remembered as an unusually active committee man and public campaigner, he wrote widely, supported education and public health causes, and remained a visible figure in Australian civic life until his death in 1945.