Department of Anatomy and Histology (1923 - 1993)

The University of Melbourne Department of Anatomy and Histology was created in 1923, reflecting the view of the incumbent professor of physiology, William Osborne, that the microscopic structure of the body was more correctly studied in relation to anatomy than to physiology.

This perspective was shared by the professor of anatomy, Richard "Dicky" Berry whose title was enlarged to professor of anatomy and histology, a position he held from 1923 until his retirement from the university in 1929.There was broad consensus about the suitability of the departmental name among Berry's successors until 1993 when the title of the department changed to reflect its growing interest in cell biology.

• Anatomy and Histology Department

While anatomy was among the first subjects taught by the Melbourne Medical School's first
professor, George Halford, it was not until about 1885 that he systematically began teaching histology as part of the physiology course. In the early 1920s, the professor of physiology, William Osborne suggested that histology should be taught as part of anatomy, in line with the German tradition. The plan met with the agreement of Richard "Dicky" Berry, whose title changed from professor of anatomy to professor of anatomy and histology in 1923. Berry retired in 1929 and was succeeded by Frederic Wood Jones (1930-37) and then by Sydney Sunderland (1940-1961).

Wood Jones was a highly respected teacher who wrote prolifically about anthropology and who frequently organised study tours for students to the Mallee region and to the islands of Bass Strait. His lectures were renowned for their broad-ranging source materials and skilful use of illustration.

When appointed to succeed Wood Jones, Sunderland, a former senior lecturer in the Department of Anatomy, was working in Oxford. On arriving at the University of Melbourne he found his was the only department in medicine with its own building (due to Berry's foresight and vigorous campaigning). The war slowed further developments in the department, but the influx of returning soldiers after 1945 meant that some expansion became possible. Among the first post-war appointments were two associate professors - Kenneth Fitzpatrick ("Red") Russell in 1948 and Leslie Ray in 1956. In 1955, the title reader was introduced in place of associate professor and the following year John Laverack was appointed as reader in histology and embryology with Alexander Roche appointed reader in anatomy in 1962.

Syd Sunderland became dean of medicine in 1953, and, like previous deans, he continued as head of a department (in his case, of anatomy and histology). By 1955 the workload related to these joint appointments became untenable and Les Ray took over as administrative head of the department. In 1961, Sunderland took the title of professor of experimental neurology, a manoeuvre that allowed Ray to become professor of anatomy. Sunderland kept his office and research space in the anatomy department and was, in effect, the first full-time dean of medicine at the University of Melbourne.

In 1968 when the department moved to the new medical complex at the south-western corner of the university, Russell was appointed to a personal chair in anatomy and the history of medicine. In 1976, Keith Bradley - who had taken the second chair in anatomy in 1966 - retired. Two years later, Graeme Ryan was appointed to the vacant chair, taking over as chairman of the department in 1977, with Ray as deputy. Ryan set out to extend the department's activities particularly in the area of cell biology, and to expand its research profile. When Ray fell ill at the end of 1981 and died early the following year, Geoff Kenny became deputy chairman of the department, a position he held until his retirement in 1990.

Ian Darian-Smith, professor of physiology at the University of Melbourne since 1974, was recruited to the anatomy department in 1983. Among his major assets were a strong record in research into the relationship between sensory perception and limb function, particularly in primates, and a determination to build up research in neurosciences. He developed a fully integrated course in neurosciences within the medical course and, in so doing, took steps to unite the teaching of neuroanatomy, neurophysiology and elements of neurology at the university for the first time.

Under Ryan and Darian-Smith, the department succeeded in expanding its research effort and in putting more resources into improving undergraduate education. In 1985, Ryan was appointed dean of the faculty of medicine while retaining his chair in anatomy. Meanwhile Darian-Smith became chairman of the department, a position he held until his retirement at the end of 1992. For some years after retirement, he continued an active research program in the department as professor emeritus.

In 1993 the department changed its title to anatomy and cell biology to more adequately reflect its areas of activity. John Furness, who had been a professor in the physiology department, succeeded Darian-Smith as professor and chairman. Daine Alcorn, who had become deputy head in 1990, continued in that role.

Previous and Subsequent Entities

 1862 - 1882 Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology
       1882 - 1905 Department of Anatomy and Pathology
             1905 - 1923 Department of Anatomy
                   1923 - 1993 Department of Anatomy and Histology
                         1993 - Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology

Faculty

• Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne (1991 - )

Personal Chairs

• Bradley, Keith Campbell ( - 1995)

  [1966 - 1976]

Professors

• Osborne, William Alexander (1873 - 1967)