Home Faculty of Science at the University of Melbourne
Biographical entry

Home | Browse | Search | Previous | Next

Spencer, Walter Baldwin (1860 - 1929)

Sir, KCMG MA DSc LittD CMG FRS Hon. Fellow Exeter College, Oxford
Go to Gallery Page Spencer, Walter Baldwin
Related EntriesOnline ResourcesPublished ResourcesGallery
Biologist, Anthropologist, Art patron and Zoologist
Born: 23 June 1860  Stretford, Lancashire, England.  Died: 14 July 1929.

Spencer arrived in Australia in 1887 to take up the Chair of Professor of Biology, University of Melbourne 1887 - 1919. Spencer was the first to introduce the systematic study of zoology to the University of Melbourne. Along with Masson and later Lyle, Spencer was crucial in modernising and raising the status and quality of Science at the University of Melbourne. An active administrator and teacher, he instigated a new building and laboratories at the University, and a museum.


Career Highlights

Events
23 June 1860

Born Lancashire, England.

1884

Graduated from Oxford (BA)

1886

Lincoln College Fellow

1887

Appointed to the foundation chair of biology at the University of Melbourne

1888

Foundation of the Australian Association for the Advancement of Science. Spencer attended inaugural meeting of the Associaton, and the Protection of Native Birds and Mammals Committee formed following a motion by Spencer.

1890

Appointed first Victorian Secretary of the Australian Association for the Advancement of Science

1891 - 1893

President of the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria

1894

Zoologist and Photographer in Horn Expedition

1895

Ttrustee of the National Gallery of Victoria

1895 - 1897

President of the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria

1899

Honorary Director of the Natural Museum of Victoria

1899

Honorary Director of the National Museum of Victoria

1900

Awarded FRS

1904

Awarded CMG

1904

President of the Royal Society of Victoria

1904

President of the Royal Society of Victoria

1907

Spencer suggests to the Government that it set up a committee to advise the government on all matters concerned with the preservation or destruction of Australian fauna, i.e. national parks.

1916

Awarded KCMG

1919

Retired as Emeritus Professor

1928

Resignation as Director of the Natural Museum of Victoria

14 July 1929

Died Navarin Island, Tierra del Fuego.

 
Related Entries for Spencer, Walter Baldwin

Dean

Professorial Chair

Top of Page
Online ResourcesPublished Resources

Google
Structure based on ISAAR(CPF) - click here for an explanation of the fields.Prepared by: Carolyn Rasmussen & Rachel Tropea
Created: 4 September 2001
Modified: 7 March 2003

Published by Australian Science and Technology Heritage Centre on AustehcWeb, October 2001
Comments, questions, corrections and additions: http://www.esrc.unimelb.edu.au/about/inquiries.html#comment
Prepared by: Acknowledgements
Updated: 16 November 2009
http://www.austehc.unimelb.edu.au/umfs/biogs/UMFS114b.htm

[ Top of page | Faculty of Science at the University of Melbourne Home | Browse | Search ]