Andrew Houison
Encyclopedia
Dr. Andrew Houison B.A., M.B., Mast. Surg., (1 January 1850 - 22 August 1912) was a Sydney medical practitioner, amateur historian and philatelist. He was one of the "Fathers of Philately" entered on the Roll of Distinguished Philatelists
in 1921.
and was offered a position as Lister's research assistant. Instead, he returned to Sydney where after a period in private practice he became Secretary to the New South Wales Medical Board. He was elected Honorary Physician to the Sydney Hospital and enjoyed a successful medical career.
of New South Wales
and was President of both the New South Wales and Australian Philatelic Associations. He was specially commissioned by the Government of New South Wales to produce a history of the Post Office and stamps of the territory which was prepared within a very short period of time and published in 1890. The book was subsequently withdrawn from sale after forged stamps were made from the plates within.
in 1901, his interest in history being variously attributed to philately, genealogical researches in Scotland and his father's work in the development of his home town, Parramatta.
Roll of Distinguished Philatelists
The Roll of Distinguished Philatelists is a philatelic award of international scale, created by the Philatelic Congress of Great Britain in 1921...
in 1921.
Early life
Houison was born in Parramatta to James and Ann Houison, both from Scotland. His father was a successful builder and architect in Parramatta. Andrew was the youngest of ten children, five girls and five boys. He enrolled at the University of Sydney in February 1866 and gained a BA degree in 1869.Medical career
Houison continued his education at the University of Edinburgh where he graduated in medicine, M.B. Ch.M. (M.Surg). He did post-graduate research in antisepsis with Professor Joseph ListerJoseph Lister, 1st Baron Lister
Joseph Lister, 1st Baron Lister OM, FRS, PC , known as Sir Joseph Lister, Bt., between 1883 and 1897, was a British surgeon and a pioneer of antiseptic surgery, who promoted the idea of sterile surgery while working at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary...
and was offered a position as Lister's research assistant. Instead, he returned to Sydney where after a period in private practice he became Secretary to the New South Wales Medical Board. He was elected Honorary Physician to the Sydney Hospital and enjoyed a successful medical career.
Philately
Houison began collecting stamps in about 1865. He was a specialist in the postal historyPostal history
Postal history is the study of postal systems and how they operate and, or, the study of postage stamps and covers and associated material illustrating historical episodes of postal systems...
of New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
and was President of both the New South Wales and Australian Philatelic Associations. He was specially commissioned by the Government of New South Wales to produce a history of the Post Office and stamps of the territory which was prepared within a very short period of time and published in 1890. The book was subsequently withdrawn from sale after forged stamps were made from the plates within.
Australian history
Houison was the founding President of the Royal Australian Historical SocietyRoyal Australian Historical Society
The Royal Australian Historical Society is a voluntary organisation founded in Sydney, Australia in 1901 to encourage Australians to understand more about their history...
in 1901, his interest in history being variously attributed to philately, genealogical researches in Scotland and his father's work in the development of his home town, Parramatta.
Death
Houison died on 22 August 1912 in Sydney. He was survived by a daughter and two sons. His wife had pre-deceased him.Selected publications
- History of the Post Office, together with an historical account of the issue of postage stamps in New South Wales. Sydney: C. Potter, Government Printer, 1890.