(1817–1899)
The final paragraph of the entry by G C Fendley in the Australian Dictionary
of Biography for one of the first men appointed Professor in the University
of Melbourne paints the portrait of an interesting man: “Fiery, impulsive,
resilient, unsuited to collective enterprises, proud of his robustness,
smart in dress, McCoy was of medium height with waved reddish hair,
side whiskers and a determined chin. He retained in old age his verve,
his jaunty step and his capacity for geniality.”
By the time McCoy came to the University in 1855 as Professor of Natural
Science he had already made his name as a paleontologist and museum
director. At the time of his appointment he was Professor of Geology
and Mineralogy and Curator of the museum at Queen’s College, Belfast.
His teaching methods were theoretical rather than practical, depending
on classroom exposition rather than field work. This attracted criticism
and Chairs were established in Chemistry (1882) and Biology (1887).
McCoy’s chief interest was in museums and having carried the entire
collection of the Government Museum to his rooms in 1856, he was gazetted
to the unpaid position of Director of the Museum of Natural and Applied
Sciences the following year. 
A protracted battle for the construction of a museum within the University
grounds was won in 1862 and the building (which after his death became
the Student Union) opened in 1864, ushering in a period of ceaseless
battles with government over funding.
Despite his academic distinction and many honours, McCoy’s judgment
was not infallible. His enthusiasm for the introduction of exotic species
and lack of interest in Aboriginal artefacts reflected a cavalier attitude
towards the Australian environment.
He was also disastrously inaccurate in identifying gold-bearing land,
declaring in 1856 that deep reefs would not be found. He was also a
convinced anti-Darwinist, insisting that there was geological proof
of the Genesis phases of creation.
McCoy served on numerous government bodies and was a staunch supporter
of technical education in Victoria. His reports for the Victorian Board
of Science ranged from mining machinery to the use of camels.
