Biographical entry Youl, Richard (1821 - 1897)

Summary

Richard Youl, city coroner of Melbourne 1857-97, introduced formal medico-legal procedure including a post-mortem in every case. He was president of the Central Board of Health 1879-84.

Details

Born George Town, Van Diemen's Land, 3 December 1821. Died Melbourne, 6 August 1897. Educated in England (MRCS 1842, MD (St Andrews) 1844) and Paris. Gained experience in Edinburgh and London, settled in Melbourne 1850, colonial assistant surgeon to the gaol and penal establishments in Melbourne, a magistrate, and district coroner for Bourke from 1853, coroner 1854-78, 1878-92, visiting justice to penal establishments 1854-67, private practice for many years. President, Central Board of Health 1879-94, president, Medical Board of Victoria 1885-97, chairman, Police Medical Board 1892, founder and physician, Victorian Infant Asylum, official visitor to industrial schools, lunatic asylums and Northcote, the inebriates' retreat.

Published resources

Book Sections

• Mitchell, Ann M., 'Youl, Richard (1821-1897)', in Bede Nairn (ed.), Australian Dictionary of Biography, vol. 6, Melbourne University Press, Melbourne, 1976, p. 450. Also available at http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A060482b.htm. Details

Online Resources

• National Library of Australia, 'Youl, Richard', Trove, National Library of Australia and the Australian National Maritime Museum Darling Harbour, 2009, http://nla.gov.au/nla.party-563362. Details

See also

• Science and the making of Victoria, with Royal Society of Victoria, 2001, http://www.austehc.unimelb.edu.au/smv/scripts/smv-dynindex.php3?EID=P000193. Details