The prestigious Owen Aves Memorial Lecture has been given by speakers from a range of backgrounds who have made major contributions to the development of the Optical Professions. This annual event began in 1929, when Owen Aves' early death, age 48, prevented him giving a lecture to the Society. Mr W. Green gave a lecture in his place, which he dedicated to Owen Aves and so started the tradition.
Owen Aves Owen Aves was a very energetic and devoted member of the Optical profession, and well-respected by his peers. He was one of the co-founders of The London Refraction Hospital, established 1922, now the Institute of Optometry. He was chairman of the Institute of Ophthalmic Opticians (1923-1927) and a member of the Council of the British Optical Association. He was also Honorary Secretary of the Institute of Ophthalmic Opticians Research Committee.
Elaine Grisdale receiving the Owen Aves Medal on 13 March 2019  Teifi James receiving the Owen Aves Medal on 22 March 2018Bruce Evans receiving the Owen Aves Medal on 8 March 2017
Frank Norville receiving the Owen Aves Medal on 20 May 2015
| Previous Owen Aves Memorial Lecturers
| 2019 | Elaine Grisdale | | 2018 | Prof. Teifi James
| 2017
| Prof. Bruce Evans
| | 2016 | Andrew Tompkin
| | 2015 | Frank Norville |
| 2014
|
Prof. David Elliott |
|
2013
|
Prof. Brian Tighe |
|
2012
|
No lecture. The Owen Aves lecture moved to springtime to avoid
clashing with the David Pickwell lecture. |
|
2011
|
Nick Rumney |
|
2010
|
Prof. Stephen A Vernon |
|
2009
|
Judith Morris |
|
2008
|
Prof. Gordon Heron |
|
2007
|
Prof. D. Thomson |
|
2006
|
Dr. P. Morgan |
|
2005
|
Prof. D. Henson |
|
2004
|
Prof. Rennie |
|
2003
|
Prof. A. Wilkins |
|
2002
|
Prof. A. Hill |
|
2001
|
B. Noble |
|
2000
|
J. Vale |
|
1999
|
Prof. M. Jalie |
|
1998
|
Prof. J. Marshall |
|
1997
|
Dr. N. Drasdo |
|
1996
|
Prof. N. Charman |
|
1995
|
Dr. M. Woodhouse |
|
1994
|
Prof. A. Tomlinson |
|
1993
|
Prof. N. Efron |
|
1992
|
Prof. S. Hodgson |
|
1991
|
Prof. D. McLeod |
|
1990
|
K. Edwards |
|
1989
|
Prof. C. Blakemore |
|
1988
|
J. Weatherill |
|
1987
|
M. Sheridan |
|
1986
|
J. Howe |
|
1985
|
Prof. G.M. Dunn |
|
1984
|
B. Martin |
|
1983
|
Prof. G.L. Ruskell |
|
1982
|
E. Rosen |
|
1981
|
Dr. J.K. Storey |
|
1980
|
Prof. C.I. Phillips |
|
1979
|
P.T. Stone |
|
1978
|
Prof. G.V. Ball |
|
1977
|
M. Ruben |
|
1976
|
F.A. Burnett Hodd |
|
1975
|
O.O. Ffooks |
|
1974
|
L.D. Pickwell |
|
1973
|
Prof. E.S. Perkins |
|
1972
|
R.L. Sutcliffe |
|
1971
|
J.B. Haycock |
|
1970
|
Prof. W.S. Foulds |
|
1969
|
A.G. Bennett |
|
1968
|
Prof. R.J. Fletcher |
|
1967
|
G. Black |
|
1966
|
Prof. D.L. Smare |
|
1965
|
0. Gayer Morgan |
|
1964
|
Prof. A.D. MacDonald |
|
1963
|
Dr. H.J.A Dartnall |
|
1962
|
F. Dickinson |
|
1961
|
W. Swaine |
|
1960
|
F.W. Law |
|
1959
|
J. Foster |
|
1958
|
Prof. R.W. Ditchburn |
|
1957
|
Dr. Hugh Davson |
|
1956
|
Prof. A Sorsby |
|
1955
|
E.F. Fincham |
|
1954
|
Prof. W. D. Wright |
|
1953
|
Prof. I.Z. Young |
|
1952
|
H.B. Marton |
|
1951
|
Prof. H. Hartridge |
|
1950
|
G.H. Giles |
|
1949
|
J.C. Meadley |
|
1948
|
W.B. Barker |
|
1947
|
L.A. Swann |
|
|
|
1939
|
D.W.A Mitchell |
|
1938
|
G. Rosen |
|
1937
|
E.G. Guyatt |
|
1936
|
H. Freeman |
|
1935
|
Ernest Aves |
|
1934
|
M. Rossini |
|
1933
|
H. Coulander |
|
1932
|
A.E. Turville |
|
1931
|
L.A. Swann |
|
1930
|
A.J. Esdaile |
|
1929
|
W. Green |
| | |
|
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