Objectives: To provide a brief biography of Dr Richard Greenup and to explore the legacy he has left to one of Australia's longest operating psychiatric services.
Methods: This history was obtained by consulting staff working within Cumberland Hospital, New South Wales and by examining primary and secondary sources.
Results: Greenup was the second surgeon superintendent of 'The Parramatta Lunatic Asylum' from 1852 until 1866 when he was fatally stabbed with a pair of scissors by a patient. Greenup was involved in establishing The University of Sydney and advocated for expanded and improved services for people diagnosed with mental disorders.
Conclusions: Greenup recognised the needs of the mentally ill and sought to address similar social and demographic determinants of health to those that we face today. The challenges he faced, and his tragic end remind us of the importance of delivering patient-centred care whilst being mindful of associated risks.
Keywords: early Australia; health service management; history; psychiatry.