Archibald Lang McLean (1885–13 May 1922) was an Australian

bacteriologist A bacteriologist is a microbiologist, or similarly trained professional, in bacteriology— a subdivision of microbiology that studies bacteria, typically Pathogenic bacteria, pathogenic ones. Bacteriologists are interested in studying and learnin ...

known for his role as chief

doctor Doctor, Doctors, The Doctor or The Doctors may refer to: Titles and occupations * Physician, a medical practitioner * Doctor (title), an academic title for the holder of a doctoral-level degree ** Doctorate ** List of doctoral degrees awarded b ...

on the Sir

Douglas Mawson Sir Douglas Mawson (5 May 1882 – 14 October 1958) was a British-born Australian geologist, Antarctic explorer, and academic. Along with Roald Amundsen, Robert Falcon Scott, and Sir Ernest Shackleton, he was a key expedition leader during ...

Australasian Antarctic Expedition The Australasian Antarctic Expedition was a 1911–1914 expedition headed by Douglas Mawson that explored the largely uncharted Antarctic coast due south of Australia. Mawson had been inspired to lead his own venture by his experiences on Ernest ...

Biography

Archie McLean was born in

Balmain, New South Wales Balmain is a suburb in the Inner West of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Balmain is located west of the Sydney central business district, in the Local government in Australia, local government area of the Inner West Council. It is locate ...

on 27 March 1885. He was the grandson of Scottish migrants from Balmaha on the east side of Loch Lomond. He attended Five Dock Public School and later

Fort Street High School Fort Street High School (FSHS) is a Education in Australia#Government schools, New South Wales government run, Mixed-sex school, co-educational, Selective school (New South Wales), academically selective, secondary school, secondary day school, ...

before completing a Bachelor of Arts at the

University of Sydney The University of Sydney (USYD) is a public university, public research university in Sydney, Australia. Founded in 1850, it is the oldest university in both Australia and Oceania. One of Australia's six sandstone universities, it was one of the ...

in 1906. He then studied medicine and graduated as a

Master of Surgery The Master of Surgery (Latin: Magister Chirurgiae) is an advanced qualification in surgery. Depending upon the degree, it may be abbreviated ChM, MCh, MChir or MS. At a typical medical school the program lasts two to three years. The possessi ...

in 1911. He was selected to join the Australasian Antarctic Expedition in 1911 as chief medical officer. Part of his role on the expedition was to study the effects of the Antarctic environment on other members of the expedition by taking regular blood samples and skin swabs. He took part in the Easter Sledging Journey with

Cecil Madigan Cecil Thomas Madigan (15 October 1889 – 14 January 1947) was an Australian explorer and geologist, academic, aerial surveyor, meteorologist, author and officer of the British army. He was born in Renmark, South Australia. His family had assoc ...

and

Percy Correll Percy Correll (1892–1974) was a mechanic and an assistant physicist on Douglas Mawson, Sir Douglas Mawson's scientific expedition to Antarctica from 1911–1914, the Australasian Antarctic Expedition. Biography Percy Edward Correll (also known ...

, and after their return to main base remained there awaiting the return of Mawson,

Xavier Mertz Xavier Guillaume Mertz (6 October 1882 – 8 January 1913) was a Swiss polar exploration, polar explorer, mountaineer, and skier who took part in the Far Eastern Party, a 1912–1913 component of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition, on wh ...

and Lieutenant Belgrave Ninnis. When Mawson returned, McLean treated his injuries and later treated wireless operator

Sidney Jeffryes Sidney Harry Jeffryes (20 July 1884 – 16 October 1942)Leane, E., Maddison, B. & Norris, K. (2019). Beyond the Heroic Stereotype: Sidney Jeffryes and the Mythologising of Australian Antarctic History. Australian Humanities Review, (64), 1-23 ...

for symptoms of paranoia. McLean Nunataks are named in his honour. He arrived back in Australia in March 1914 and then travelled with Mawson to England. After the outbreak of World War I, he joined the

Royal Army Medical Corps The Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) was a specialist corps in the British Army which provided medical services to all Army personnel and their families, in war and in peace. On 15 November 2024, the corps was amalgamated with the Royal Army De ...

and served until 1916 when he was discharged for health reasons and returned to Australia. He completed his doctorate at the University of Sydney before joining the

First Australian Imperial Force The First Australian Imperial Force (1st AIF) was the main Expeditionary warfare, expeditionary force of the Australian Army during the First World War. It was formed as the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) following United Kingdom of Great Bri ...

in the Australian Army Medical Corps in 1917 and returning to Europe. He was awarded the

Military Cross The Military Cross (MC) is the third-level (second-level until 1993) military decoration awarded to officers and (since 1993) Other ranks (UK), other ranks of the British Armed Forces, and formerly awarded to officers of other Commonwealth of ...

for his service. He was discharged due to a bout of

tuberculosis Tuberculosis (TB), also known colloquially as the "white death", or historically as consumption, is a contagious disease usually caused by ''Mycobacterium tuberculosis'' (MTB) bacteria. Tuberculosis generally affects the lungs, but it can al ...

. He returned to Australia, where he was appointed Medical Officer at the Red Cross War Chest Farm Colony in Beelbangara,

New South Wales New South Wales (commonly abbreviated as NSW) is a States and territories of Australia, state on the Eastern states of Australia, east coast of :Australia. It borders Queensland to the north, Victoria (state), Victoria to the south, and South ...

, however his condition worsened and he died in 1922.

References

External links

* * * 20th-century deaths from tuberculosis 1885 births 1922 deaths Australasian Antarctic Expedition Australian bacteriologists Infectious disease deaths in New South Wales Royal Army Medical Corps officers Tuberculosis deaths in Australia University of Sydney alumni British Army personnel of World War I {{Australia-scientist-stub