Edward Marks

Edward Oswald Marks (28 October 1882 – 22 September 1971), was an Australian ophthalmologist. He studied first as a geologist, and then began a second career as an ophthalmologist. His work on preventing trachoma in children was significant in reducing eye disease in remote communities.

Early life Marks was born at Wickham Terrace, Brisbane, Queensland, the son of Charles and Elizabeth Marks. His mother had three sons from her first marriage to Robert Dods, including Robin Dods and Espie Dods. Charles Marks was a doctor and would later become a member of the Queensland Legislative Council. Charles and Elizabeth had four children, including Alexander Marks. Ted Marks attended The Southport School in 1895, aged 13 and Brisbane Grammar School from 1896 to 1900. His family sent him to Ireland to study engineering at Trinity College, Dublin, alongside his brother Alexander Marks (1880–1954), who was studying medicine. Marks graduated with a BA in January 1905 and a BAI (engineering) in December 1905. He took every possible prize for a student of Engineering including geology, mining, metallurgy and palaeontology distinctions. The map he produced in 1910, "Geological map of south east Moreton coal measures" was one of the most consulted maps in Queensland history.

After completing medical studies in 1916, Marks joined the Royal Army Medical Corps, during World War I as he could not join the Australian Infantry Force (AIF) without returning to Australia.

He was for many years Councillor and Deputy Chairman of the Queensland Bush Children's Health Scheme, and a Councillor of the Royal Flying Doctor Service in Queensland. To quote Dorothy Hill (Queensland Naturalist 20 4/6, 1972), "His work for trachomatous children practically eliminated this disease from western Queensland". By 1953, the Wilson Hostel closed for lack of patients, due to his team's work in identifying and treating the disease. He retired from practice in 1957.

Professional memberships In 1922, Marks became a Foundation Member of the Great Barrier Reef Committee. The Committee organised the Michaelmas Cay and Heron Island bores of the Great Barrier Reef in 1927 and 1937. They also worked at establishing the 1928-1929 Great Barrier Reef (Yonge) Expedition to Low Isles Reef. Marks served as Chairman of the Great Barrier Reef Committee from 1947 to 1954, following the death of Henry Caselli Richards, who had established the Committee with Sir Matthew Nathan. He played an important part in the establishment of the Heron Island Research Station, along with Dr Dorothy Hill.

Marks continued to serve in the military after his return to Australia, as a Captain and Army Ophthalmologist in the AAMC from 1923 until 1939. He also served as Wing Commander and a Consultant in the RAAF for six years. He was also a member of the Geological Society of Australia, the Royal Historical Society of Queensland, the Anthropological Society of Queensland, the National Parks Association of Queensland, and the National Trust of Queensland. and in time donated both professional and personal objects to a number of museums around Brisbane. These included personal correspondence, scientific specimens, furnitures and the family's property at Samford, which was donated to QUT. Items from E.O. Marks can be found at the Queensland Museum, Queensland State Library, and a number of smaller military and medical museums.