Archive of past Queensland Entomologists
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Ian Murray MACKERRAS (1898-1980)
Ian Mackerras was born in Balclutha, NZ, and died in Canberra. He grew up in Sydney and after WW1 service (1915-19), studied medicine and science at Univ. Sydney (1919-24) graduating in both with 1st Class Hons and a Medal in Zoology. Married fellow student Josephine Bancroft in 1925 and they shared a productive scientific life. Ian became the first Linnean Macleay Fellow at U.Sydney (1925-26) studying Nemestrinidae and Sydney mosquitoes. Joined the NSW Health Dept. as microbiologist (1927-28) then CSIR Canberra (1928-47) dealing with veterinary entomology. Served in WW2 as Director of Entomology dealing with malaria, dengue and scrub typhus. After WW2, transferred to CSIRO Lab at Yeerongpilly in 1946, then became first Director of Qld Institute of Medical Research at Herston 1948. Led vigorous research programs in many fields, and studied taxonomy of simuliids and tabanids. In 1961, he became Senior Research Fellow at CSIRO Canberra to coordinate and edit the 1029pp Insects of Australia, published in 1970. Continued tabanid taxonomy and edited the 1974 Supplement to Insects of Australia. Retired in 1974 at age 76. President of Ent. Soc. Qld (1948-49) and President of Royal. Soc. Qld (1952). Convenor of working group (1964-65) to plan a national entomological society and became the first President of the Australian Entomological Society (1965-67), and its first Honorary Member (1969). He is remembered by a biennial award, the Mackerras Medal for excellence in research. A giant of Australian entomology.
Biographies: Marks, E.N. 1980. Obituary – Ian Murray Mackerras. News Bulletin of the Australian Entomological Society 16(2): 50-56. Williams, L. 2000. Mackerras, Ian Murray (1898-1980). Australian Dictionary of Biography Vol 15.