Frank Fenner

Professor Frank Fenner

Frank John Fenner (21 December 1914 – 22 November 2010) was an Australian scientist who made significant contributions to the field of virology and microbiology. He is best known for his role in the eradication of smallpox and the control of Australia's rabbit plague through the introduction of myxomatosis.

Early Life and Education

Frank Fenner was born in Ballarat, Victoria, and grew up in Adelaide, South Australia. He attended Rose Park Primary School and later Adelaide High School. Fenner went on to study medicine at the University of Adelaide, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) in 1938.

Career

Military Service

During World War II, Fenner served as a captain in the Australian Army Medical Corps. He was stationed in Papua New Guinea and worked on the control of malaria among Australian troops.

Academic and Research Contributions

After the war, Fenner joined the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research in Melbourne, where he worked on the myxoma virus as a biological control agent for rabbits. His work in this area was instrumental in reducing the rabbit population in Australia, which had become a major agricultural pest.

In 1949, Fenner was appointed Professor of Microbiology at the John Curtin School of Medical Research at the Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra. He later became the Director of the school from 1967 to 1973.

Smallpox Eradication

Fenner played a crucial role in the World Health Organization's (WHO) campaign to eradicate smallpox. He was a member of the Global Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication and announced the eradication of the disease in 1980.

Awards and Honors

Frank Fenner received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including:

• The Albert Einstein World Award of Science in 1988
• The Copley Medal from the Royal Society in 1995
• The Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) in 1989

Legacy

Fenner's contributions to science, particularly in the fields of virology and microbiology, have had a lasting impact. The Fenner School of Environment and Society at ANU is named in his honor, reflecting his commitment to both medical research and environmental science.

Related Pages

• Virology
• Microbiology
• Smallpox
• Myxomatosis
• Australian National University
• World Health Organization