E. Treacher Collins : obituary.

Date:
[1932]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: E. Treacher Collins : obituary. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    countrymen. When, after the war, it was impossible to gather the nations together, he insisted upon the next best thing, and was the prime moving spirit of the English- speaking Conference. When better days came he was with one accord selected as the president of the Inter-; national Congress at Amsterdam. He was equally active in those ethical and semi-political aspects of ophthalmo¬ logy which are not catered for by the scientific societies, and when the suggestion of the Council of British Ophthalmologists for dealing with these problems was put before him he heartily supported it and became the first president. As a man he was the soul of honesty and the enemy of humbug, a steadfast friend and no time-server. With a somewhat “ dour ” exterior, he had a fine sense of humour, and made an ideal travelling companion. Mr. Theodore W. Luling, chairman of Moorfields, sends the following tribute : The passing of E. Treacher Collins marks the close of a life dedicated to the service of Moorfields Eye Hospital. Appointed house-surgeon in 1884, within three years he occupied the important post of pathologist. It was at this time that he established his reputation as a great teacher of ophthalmology, and laid the foundation of an inter¬ national reputation. His succession to the honorary staff followed as a matter of course. An indefatigable worker and teacher, he held the tradition of Moorfields as a heritage to be passed on to all those with whom he came into contact. His great achievements in the field of ophthalmology are without the scope of this writing. Collins retired as a surgeon of Moorfields at the age of 60 in 1922, and thereafter devoted his time to the affairs of the hospital as a member of the committee of manage¬ ment and of numerous subcommittees. His dominating personality played an important part in the rapid develop¬ ment and expansion of the hospital from that time on. His last literary work was entitled The History and Traditions of the Moorfields Eye Hospital. Collins once said that he had acquired the “ Moorfields habit ” at an early age, and had never been able to break himself of it. Treacher Collins had many followers, but few peers. [The photograph reproduced is by Lizzie Caswall Smith, London.]