# Victor Marcus Coppleson

Sir Victor Marcus Coppleson (27 February 1893 – 12 May 1965) was an Australian surgeon.

## Early life and background

Coppleson was born in Sydney on 27 February 1893. He was the eldest of five surviving children of Albert Abram Coppleson and his wife. Albert, who was born in Mitava, Courland, Russia (Yelgava, Latvia), was the son of David Coppleson, a miller, and his wife Nessa, formerly known as Nessa Michael. After the pogroms of 1881, Albert migrated and traveled to London, New Zealand, and Victoria. In 1884, he settled in New South Wales and became an itinerant hawker in the north-west region. Around 1890, Albert partnered with W. R. Cohen, a Polish Jew he had met in London, to open a general store in Wee Waa. He obtained his naturalization on 31 March 1891 and married a widow named Sarah (Siba) Middlemass, née Sloman, who also came from a Russian émigré background, on 9 February 1893 at the Redfern Registry Office. By 1900, Albert was successfully running his own business.

## Life

Coppleson's dedication to postgraduate medical education was the focal point of his various endeavors. Starting in 1932, he became a member of the New South Wales Permanent Post-Graduate Committee, which was established under the influence of the British Medical Association. Over time, this committee underwent reconstitution and evolved into the New South Wales Post-Graduate Committee in Medicine in 1935, and later into the Postgraduate Committee in Medicine of the University of Sydney in 1945. Coppleson held several key positions within these committees, serving as honorary secretary from 1935 to 1955, chairman from 1956 to 1964, and director of postgraduate studies from 1948 to 1965. Despite his relentless efforts, the postgraduate school at Prince Henry Hospital, which commenced in 1938, unfortunately did not resume operations after its breakdown in 1942. Coppleson aimed to encourage further studies among both general practitioners and specialists, as well as provide grants to facilitate Australians studying abroad and to attract distinguished visitors to the country. Under his adept leadership, the establishment of the Post Graduate Medical Foundation in 1958, which aimed to systematize fundraising efforts, proved to be an immediate success. With great pride, he declared in 1962 that through the foundation's support of research, Sydney's medical standards had risen to match those of any other institution. In recognition of his contributions, he was knighted in January 1964.
Although some of his younger colleagues occasionally found Coppleson's authoritative nature intimidating, even those who were "irritated by his vigorous personality and methods" couldn't help but develop a peculiar fondness for him. Despite his physical stature, which grew more apparent with age as he began to bald, he possessed an impressive physique and excelled in swimming and golf. He held memberships in prestigious clubs such as the University, Imperial Service, and Australian Golf clubs. While he had a passion for stamp collecting, he was better known for his successful gardening endeavors and his collection of orchids. His wife's unwavering support played a crucial role in enabling him to engage in his ceaseless activities.

## Literary works

* Shark attack
* Killer Sharks: How and why They Attack Humans

## Death

Victor died of cancer at his home at Wunulla Road, Point Piper, on 12 May 1965, and was cremated after a service at St Mark's Anglican Church.