Archibald Lang McLean (1885–13 May 1922) was an Australian bacteriologist known for his role as chief doctor on the Sir Douglas Mawson's Australasian Antarctic Expedition.

Biography

Archie McLean was born in Balmain, New South Wales 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 5 is a number, numeral, and glyph. 5, five or number 5 may also refer to: * AD 5, the fifth year of the AD era * 5 BC, the fifth year before the AD era Literature * ''5'' (visual novel), a 2008 visual novel by Ram * ''5'' (comics), an awar ...

and later

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

before completing a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Sydney 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 between two and three years. The p ...

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 and Percy Correll, and after their return to main base remained there awaiting the return of Mawson, Xavier Mertz and Lieutenant Belgrave Ninnis. When Mawson returned, McLean treated his injuries and later treated wireless operator Sidney Jeffryes for symptoms of paranoia.

McLean Nunataks The McLean Nunataks () are a group of three nunataks lying within the western part of Mertz Glacier, Antarctica, near the head. They were discovered by the Australasian Antarctic Expedition (1911–14) under Douglas Mawson, who named them after Dr. ...

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) is a specialist corps in the British Army which provides medical services to all Army personnel and their families, in war and in peace. The RAMC, the Royal Army Veterinary Corps, the Royal Army Dental Corps a ...

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 in the Australian Army Medical Corps in 1917 and returning to Europe. He was awarded the Military Cross for his service. He was discharged due to a bout of tuberculosis. He returned to Australia, where he was appointed Medical Officer at the Red Cross War Chest Farm Colony in Beelbangara, New South Wales, 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