Hugh Gordon (parasitologist)
His eldest grandchild (son of Hugh McLeod), Adam Stewart Gordon (born 1967) graduated from the University of Sydney with an Honours degree in Veterinary Science in 1990.
From 1931 to 1933 he worked on parasitic diseases of sheep with Dr (later Sir) Ian Clunies Ross at the McMaster Laboratory of the CSIRO located on the Camperdown campus of the University of Sydney.
Gordon's major contribution was in laying the foundations of modern epidemiological thinking in the control of internal parasites of grazing ruminants, and sheep in particular.
The internationally recognised Wormkill program, which was most effective at controlling worms in the New England region of New South Wales in the 1980s, was based on principles developed by Gordon in the 1940s.
This discovery, and local production of the required chemicals, resulted in a massive cut in the economic losses suffered by farmers due to intestinal parasitism.
In September 1961 in the journal Nature, he reported on his laboratory and field trials that demonstrated this compound exhibited a very high degree of anthelmintic activity against most of the major internal parasites of sheep.
Whilst the use of thiabendazole has waned, newer generation benzimidazole compounds such as albendazole and fenbendazole are to this day used widely in people and domestic animals.
His Fellowship citation in 1959 stated that "through his work and writings, through the many students who have sat at his feet and by his willingness at all times to extend help and friendship to his colleagues, Mr. Gordon has attained a worldwide reputation both as a parasitologist and for his personal qualities".
He divided his time between the Veterinary Science faculty, where he was a demonstrator in parasitology practical classes, and the Max Henry Memorial Library, where he was Honorary Librarian.
In "Hugh McLeod Gordon an appreciation on his 80th birthday", Alan D. Donald of the CSIRO wrote: "He has a truly enquiring mind, a constant capacity for lateral thinking, and an encyclopaedic knowledge of many things but of manners parasitological above all.
At the same time, he has a gentle, self-effacing manner which has always made him instantly approachable by the most junior of his colleagues or students, and he has never been too busy to answer their requests for help or advice.
His highly developed sense of humour, enormous mental storehouse of jokes, not all of them suitable for all occasions, and his skills as a raconteur, are widely known around the world."
