Person
Marks, Edward Oswald (Ted) (1882 - 1971)
- Born
- 28 October 1882
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia - Died
- 22 September 1971
- Occupation
- Naturalist and Ophthalmologist
Summary
Ted Marks was an ophthalmologist who devoted much of his career to treating eye diseases in children. His initial training was as a geologist. From 1908 to 1913, as Assistant Government Geologist with the Queensland Geological Survey, he was involved in the survey for coal resources in the south of the state and the production of high-quality geological maps. After retraining as a medical doctor specialising in ophthalmology, he practiced for over 30 years at the Brisbane Children's Hospital and the Wilson Ophthalmic Hospital for Trachomatous Children. His work in preventing trachoma in children was significant in reducing eye disease in remote communities. He was also involved in the management of the Queensland Bush Children's Health Scheme and the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Marks was interested in a wide range of scientific endeavours, being a member and office holder of a number of society including the Royal and Anthropological Societies of Queensland. He was a founding Member and later Chairman of the Great Barrier Reef Committee. Personal correspondence, scientific specimens and other items were donated to the Queensland University of Technology.
Details
Chronology
- 1905
- Education - BAI (engineering), Trinity College, Dublin
- 1905
- Education - Bachelor of Arts (BA), Trinity College, Dublin
- 1908 - 1913
- Career position - Assistant Government Geologist, Geological Survey of Queensland
- 1913
- Life event - Returned to Ireland to study medicine
- 1916 - 1919
- Military service - First World War. Captain, Australian Army Medical Corps, Australian Imperial Forces
- 1919
- Education - MD, Dublin
- 1919
- Career position - Resident, Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, Dublin
- 1920
- Life event - Returned to Australia
- 1921 - 1938
- Career position - Honorary physician, Brisbane Children's Hospital
- 1922 - 1957
- Career position - Foundation Member, Great Barrier Reef Committee
- 1923 - 1939
- Military service - Captain and Army Ophthalmologist, Australian Army Medical Corps
- 1932
- Career position - Ophthalmologist (part-time), Queensland School Health Service
- 1938 - 1946
- Career position - Senior Ophthalmologist, Brisbane Children's Hospital
- 1939 - 1948
- Military service - Second world War. Wing Commander, RAAF
- 1946 - 1953
- Career position - Director, Wilson Ophthalmic Hospital for Trachomatous Children, Queensland
- 1947 - 1954
- Career position - Chairman, Great Barrier Reef Committee
- 1954 - 1971
- Award - Life Member, Royal Society of Queensland
- 1957
- Life event - Retired
Related entries
Children
Sibling
Published resources
Journal Articles
- Cramond, Tess, 'Two pioneer Queensland ophthalmologists', New Zealand journal of ophthalmology, 27 (1990), 371-4. Details
- Hill, Dorothy, '[Obituary]: Edward Oswald Marks, 1882-1971', Queensland Naturalist, 20 (4/6) (1972), 124-129. Details
Resources
- CA 778, Air Services Branch; CA 35, Department of Air, Central Office, 'NAA: A9300, MARKS E O', A9300 RAAF Officers Personnel files, 1921-1948, National Archives of Australia, RecordSearch, https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/scripts/AutoSearch.asp?O=I&Number=5243864. Details
Helen Cohn
Created: 20 June 2022, Last modified: 13 August 2025