11 Facts About Marcus Fernando

Sir Hilarion Marcus Fernando, FRCP was a pre-independence Ceylonese statesman, physician and banker.

Marcus Fernando was a member of both the executive council and legislative council, as well as the chairman of the State Mortgage Bank of Ceylon.

Marcus Fernando received a Ceylon Government Scholarship and Scholarship from the Gilchrist Educational Trust, enabling him to study medicine at University College London.

Marcus Fernando graduated with a BSc, winning the Atchinson Scholarship and University of London Gold Medals in Physiology, Medicine, Forensic Medicine and Obstetrics.

Marcus Fernando graduated with an MB in 1888, an MD in 1889, and in 1890, was elected a Fellow of University College London.

Marcus Fernando contributed to scientific discussions on a wide range of diseases, and is associated with a discussion on Diabetes in the Tropics, where he is credited with the observation that it was more common among the affluent Ceylonese.

Marcus Fernando was the founding Director of the Bacteriological Institute in Colombo, and Chemical Examiner to the Government of Ceylon.

Marcus Fernando contested unsuccessfully for the newly created seat in the 1911 legislative council election losing to the conservative, but well known retired government servant, Sir Ponnambalam Ramanathan, but subsequently served on both the Executive Council and Legislative Councils.

Marcus Fernando supported the Donoughmore Constitution enabling general elections with adult universal suffrage and was largely responsible for devising wider representation to the Northern Tamils and Eastern Muslims.

Marcus Fernando was a former proprietor of The Ceylon Independent, when the editorial staff included Noel Gratiaen and Manicasothy Saravanamuttu.

Marcus Fernando was made a Knight Batchelor in the 1923 New Year Honours.