Biographical entry James, William Edwin (1931 - 1995)

Summary

William Edwin James founded the company 'James Optics' in Melbourne in 1968, making equipment for Monash University, Mount Stromlo Observatory, the Anglo-Australian Telescope and the Orroral Space Ranging Observatory.

Details

Born 6 March 1931. Died 25 May 1995. AM 1989. Arrived Melbourne 1947. Apprentice, Macphersons 1947-48, Leaving Certificate 1949-50, University of Melbourne 1951-54 (studied science, but did not graduate), repertory theatre, Victoria 1954-55,worked with Hargreaves' optical firm, London 1961-62, Imperial College London, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, optical technician then senior technical officer, Physics Department, University of Tasmania 1965-68, founded James Optics 1968. Churchill Fellowship 1975, Lloyd Rees Lecture, Australian Academy of Science 1993.

Archival resources

Adolph Basser Library, Australian Academy of Science

• William Edwin James - Records, 1962 - 1964, MS 137; Adolph Basser Library, Australian Academy of Science. Details

Published resources

Journal Articles

• Bolton, H.C.; Coates, D.W., 'William Edwin James: Designer and Maker of Astronomical Optics', Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia, vol. 13, 1996, pp. 258-267. Details

Online Resources

• 'James, W.E. - Ms 137', in Listing of Adolph Basser Library holdings, Australian Academy of Science, 1994, http://www.science.org.au/basser/manuscript-collection/ms137.html. Details
• National Library of Australia, 'James, William Edwin', Trove, National Library of Australia and the Australian National Maritime Museum Darling Harbour, 2009, http://nla.gov.au/nla.party-1474904. Details