Biographical entry Ross, Alexander David (1883 - 1966)

Summary

Alexander David Ross was Professor of Physics and Mathematics 1912-29 and of Physics 1929-52, at the University of Western Australia. His research interests were in the area of vacuum spectroscopy and optical astronomy. He founded the Pan-Indian Science congress of 14 countries.

Details

Born 7 September 1883. Died 14 December 1966. Educated University of Glasgow (MSc 1906, DSc 1910). CBE 1949. Assistant, University of Glasgow 1908-12, Professor of Physics and Mathematics 1912-29 and of Physics 1929-52, University of Western Australia. President, Royal Society of Western Australia (3 times), State president, Illuminating Engineering Society of Australia 1944-45, national president 1948-50, chairman, WA division, Australian National Research Council 1944-55. conducted research into ionospheric effects on radio transmissions at the Watheroo Magnetic observatory.

Related entries

Archival resources

Adolph Basser Library, Australian Academy of Science

• Alexander David Ross - Records, 1951 - 1965, MS 66; Adolph Basser Library, Australian Academy of Science. Details

Private hands (Rowbotham, V.)

• Alexander David Ross - Records, 1883 - 1966; Private hands (Rowbotham, V.). Details

University of Western Australia, University Archives

• Alexander David Ross - Records, 1935 - 1961; University of Western Australia, University Archives. Details

Published resources

Book Sections

• Hutchison, D. E., 'Ross, Alexander David (1883-1966), Physicist', in Geoffrey Serle (ed.), Australian Dictionary of Biography, vol. 11, Melbourne University Press, Melbourne, 1988, pp. 454-455. Also available at http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A110461b.htm. Details

Journal Articles

• 'Obituary: Professor A.D. Ross', Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, vol. 51, no. 2, 1968, p. 63. Details
• Shearer, J., 'Obituary: Professor A. D. Ross, 1883-1966', Australian Journal of Science, vol. 29, no. 11, 1967, p. 417. Details

Online Resources

• 'Ross, Alexander David', in Physics in Australia to 1945, R.W. Home, with the assistance of Paula J. Needham, Australian Science Archives Project, June 1995, http://www.asap.unimelb.edu.au/bsparcs/physics/P000760p.htm. Details
• 'Ross, Alexander David', in The Giant's Eye: the Optical Munitions Exhibition, A Bright Sparcs Exhibition, Australian Science Archives Project, 1997, http://www.asap.unimelb.edu.au/bsparcs/exhib/omp/people/ross.htm. Details
• National Library of Australia, 'Ross, Alexander David', Trove, National Library of Australia and the Australian National Maritime Museum Darling Harbour, 2009, http://nla.gov.au/nla.party-1463664. Details

See also

• Bolton, H. C., 'Optical Instruments in Australia in the 1939-45 War: successes and lost opportunities', Australian Physicist, 1990, http://www.asap.unimelb.edu.au/bsparcs/exhib/papers/bolton2.htm. Details
• Mellor, D.P., 'Optical Munitions', Chapter 12 in Australia in the War of 1939-1945, Series 4: Civil, volume 5 'The Role of Science and Industry', Canberra: Australian War Memorial, 1958, 1958, http://www.asap.unimelb.edu.au/bsparcs/exhib/papers/mellor.htm. Details
• Sherratt, Tim; Condé, Anne-Marie, A Wartime Observatory Observed - the Mount Stromlo Community, 1940-1945, Australian Science Archives Project, Canberra, 1994, http://www.asap.unimelb.edu.au/pubs/articles/tps/tps_stromlo_draft.htm. Details