# Macfarlane Burnet

_Australian virologist (1899-1985)_

Canonical: https://diginpl.com/people/macfarlane-burnet
Last updated: 2026-11-06

> Sir Frank Macfarlane Burnet, usually known as Macfarlane or Mac Burnet, was an Australian virologist known for his contributions to immunology. He won a Nobel Prize in 1960 for predicting acquired immune tolerance. He also developed the theory of clonal selection.

## Quick facts

- **Born:** 3 September 1899 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q193550#P569))
- **Place of birth:** Traralgon ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q193550#P19))
- **Died:** 31 August 1985 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q193550#P570))
- **Place of death:** Melbourne ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q193550#P20))
- **Citizenship:** Australia ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q193550#P27))
- **Occupation:** immunologist; virologist; physician; chemist; researcher ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q193550#P106))
- **Education:** University of Melbourne; University of London ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q193550#P69))
- **Awards:** Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research; Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire; Copley Medal; Royal Medal; Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine; Emil-von-Behring-Prize; Australian of the Year; James Cook Medal; Mueller Medal; Order of Merit; Order of the Rising Sun; Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal; Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal; Knight Bachelor; Croonian Medal and Lecture ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q193550#P166))

## Questions

**When was Macfarlane Burnet born?**  
Macfarlane Burnet was born on 3 September 1899 in Traralgon.

**Where did Macfarlane Burnet study?**  
Macfarlane Burnet was educated at University of Melbourne, University of London.

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## Sources

- [Wikipedia (English): Macfarlane Burnet](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macfarlane_Burnet) — [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
- [Wikidata item Q193550](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q193550) — [CC0 1.0](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- [Image: Frank Macfarlane Burnet.jpg by Faingold, Denver (PDM-owner)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Frank_Macfarlane_Burnet.jpg)

## Licence and attribution

Text from the Wikipedia article Macfarlane Burnet, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page's text is shared under the same licence. Facts from Wikidata (CC0). Image: Frank Macfarlane Burnet.jpg — Faingold, Denver, PDM-owner.

## Cite this page

"Macfarlane Burnet". DigiNepal. Last updated 6 November 2026. https://diginpl.com/people/macfarlane-burnet. Retrieved 7 November 2026.