Rutherford Ness Robertson Explained

Rutherford Robertson
Birth Name:Rutherford Ness Robertson
Birth Date:1913 9, df=y
Birth Place:Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Death Place:Yass, New South Wales, Australia
Spouse:Lady Mary Rogerson

Sir Rutherford Ness "Bob" Robertson FRSE (29 September 1913 – 6 March 2001) was an Australian botanist and biologist, and winner of the Clarke Medal in 1955.[1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

Early life and education

Robertson was born in Melbourne, Victoria (Australia), the son of Baptist missionary, Rev J. Robertson.[6] In his first years, he suffered from polio.

He was first educated at Carey Baptist Grammar School, where he was a foundation scholar in 1923 and eventually left in 1925 to complete his secondary education in New Zealand after his father’s missionary work moved him to Christchurch.[7]

He was then educated at St. Andrew's College, Christchurch and matriculated in 1930[7] to when he later obtained a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree at the University of Sydney in 1934.[1]

In 1939, Robertson completed a Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) at St John's College, Cambridge in England. Later in 1939, Robertson became Assistant Lecturer, and later Lecturer in Botany at the University of Sydney. From 1952 to 1955 he was Senior Principal Research Officer at the CSIRO Division of Food Preservation and Transport.[1]

Career

While lecturing at the University of Sydney, he closely collaborated with CSIR (the precursor to the CSIRO) in the 1950s.[1] Later on, Robertson would join the executive team at the CSIRO in 1958, where he would also become the visiting professor at the University of California in Los Angeles in the 1960s.[7] In addition, Robertson would become a Professor of Botany at the University of Adelaide after leaving New South Wales (to work in South Australia) in 1962[3] and further to this, he became the Director of Biological Sciences at the Australian National University[3] and the Australian Academy of Science throughout the 1970s and early 1980s.[3] [1]

He retired after further research at the University of Sydney in 1986.[7]

Personal life

In 1937, he married Mary Helen Bruce Robertson (née Rogerson).[3] Together, they had a son, Robert.[7]

In March 2001, Robertson died in Yass, New South Wales at the age of 87.[3]

Publications

Honours and awards

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Robertson, Rutherford Ness (1913 - 2001) . Biographical entry . Encyclopedia of Australian Science . 29 April 2012.
  2. Web site: Robertson, Sir Rutherford Ness (1913–2001) . Obituaries Australia . National Centre of Biography, Australian National University .
  3. Web site: Marshall D. Hatch . Barry (C.B.) Osmond . Joseph T. Wiskich . Rutherford Ness Robertson 1913-2001 . Biographical memoirs . Australian Academy of Science . Originally published in Historical Records of Australian Science, vol.14, no.4, 2003.
  4. Web site: Robertson, Rutherford Ness, FAA, FRS (1913-2001) . trove.nla.gov.au .
  5. Web site: Sir Rutherford Robertson . 2001 Academy Yearbook . Royal Society of New Zealand .
  6. Book: Biographical Index of Former Fellows of the Royal Society of Edinburgh 1783–2002. July 2006. The Royal Society of Edinburgh. 0-902-198-84-X.
  7. Web site: Sir Rutherford Ness Robertson (OCG 1925) . Bruce Murray . April 2001 . . 30 January 2024.
  8. Web site: Fellow details. Royal Society. 25 January 2017.
  9. Web site: Rutherford N. Robertson. National Academy of Sciences. 30 August 2018.
  10. Web site: The Order of St Michael and St George - Companion . 8 June 1968 . Services to education & scientific research . It's an Honour .
  11. Web site: Search. 1970.
  12. Web site: APS Member History . 2022-08-29 . search.amphilsoc.org.
  13. Web site: Knight Bachelor . 1 January 1972 . Services to science & education . It's an Honour .
  14. Web site: Rutherford Ness Robertson . 2022-08-29 . American Academy of Arts & Sciences . en.
  15. Web site: Macfarlane Burnet Medal and Lecture. Australian Academy of Science. 22 February 2017.
  16. Web site: Companion of the Order of Australia . 26 January 1980 . AC AUST DAY 1980. KTB NY72. CMG QB68. FOR SERVICE TO BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES . It's an Honour .