Colonial surgeon Patrick Hill (1794-1852): unacknowledged pioneer of Australian mental healthcare

Despite making a substantial contribution to the development of mental health services in colonial Australia, until now the story of Dr Patrick Hill’s (1794–1852) life has been overlooked by historians. This paper reviews primary sources including clinical notes, patient lists, letters, government documents and newspaper articles which reveal that Dr Hill was a dedicated physician who played a vital role in the development of Australian mental healthcare. He was held in such esteem that by the time of his sudden death in 1852 he had been elevated to the most senior medical office in New South Wales. Dr Hill’s career serves to exemplify how the local practice of individual colonial doctors helped build the reputation of medicine in the modern era.