Dame Annie Jean Macnamara (1899–1968)
Dame Jean Connor, 69, probably better known by her maiden name of Macnamara, died today at her South Yarra home.
Dame Jean spent most of her life fighting polio, particularly among children, and was responsible also for the introduction of myxomatosis, the rabbit killing disease, to Australia in 1950.
In 1935 she was made a Dame Commander and in 1966 she became the first woman to be awarded an honorary doctorate of laws at Melbourne University.
Her husband, Dr Ivan Connor, a dermatologist, died in 1956. They are survived by two married daughters.
Original publication
Additional Resources and Scholarship
- wins a scholarship to study at the University of Melbourne, Ovens and Murray Advertiser (Beechworth, Vic), 12 February 1916, p 2, column 1
Related Entries in NCB Sites
- Macnamara, Dame Annie Jean
- Littlejohn, Jean (university friend)
- Mackay, Kate (classmate)
- Bryce, Lucy Meredith (classmate)
- Littlejohn, Jean (classmate)
- Campbell, Kate Isabel (classmate)
- Burnet, Frank Macfarlane (classmate)
- Dale, John (colleague)
Citation details
'Macnamara, Dame Annie Jean (1899–1968)', Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/macnamara-dame-annie-jean-7427/text35240, accessed 24 March 2025.
Life Summary [details]
Alternative Names
- Connor, Jean
Birth
1 April,
1899
Beechworth,
Victoria,
Australia
Death
13 October,
1968
(aged 69)
Victoria,
Australia
Cause of Death
Religious Influence
Includes the religion in which subjects were raised, have chosen themselves, attendance at religious schools and/or religious funeral rites; Atheism and Agnosticism have been included.
Education
- Beechworth State School (Vic)
- Spring Road Primary School (Malvern, Melbourne)
- Presbyterian Ladies' College (Melbourne)
- University of Melbourne
Occupation or Descriptor
Awards
- Beaney Scholarship (University of Melbourne)
- Rockefeller Fellowship
- Dame Commander of the British Empire