Sir Ewen John Maclean

Sir Ewen John Maclean (15 October 1865 – 13 October 1953) was a British physician, who was the first Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the Welsh National School of Medicine.

Early life

Maclean was born on 15 October 1865 on the island of Tiree, the second son of Agnes Macmillan and John Maclean of Kilmoluag. His father was a "master cordwainer" (shoemaker). The family were Gaelic speakers. His older brother was the politician, Donald Maclean. Around 1870 the family moved to Haverfordwest in Wales, where he was educated, before attending Carmarthen Grammar School. He then studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh, graduating with an MB CM with honours in 1889. In 1891, he received his MD with honours from the University.

Career

From 1889, Maclean worked in the Bristol Hospital for Women and Children as a houseman. He then moved to Chelsea Hospital for Women in London, and began his specialisations in obstetrics and gynaecology. In 1898 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. His proposers were Sir Alexander Russell Simpson, Sir Thomas Grainger Stewart, Sir German Sims Woodhead and Robert Halliday Gunning.

In the First World War he served as a Lt Colonel in the Royal Army Medical Corps but purely based in Britain, treating soldiers returned from the front first at Eaton Hall, Cheshire (converted to a hospital for officers for the duration of the war) then at the 3rd Western General Hospital.

Death He died in Cardiff on 13 October 1953, two days before his 88th birthday. He never married; his sister Agnes cared for him until his death. His funeral service took place at Windsor Place Presbyterian Church in Cardiff and he is buried in the family grave at Llangunnor Churchyard near Carmarthen.