Biographical entry Parker, Henry Thomas (1890 - 1957)

Summary

Henry Thomas Parker initially studied to become a priest, but was never ordained. Instead he became a leader in the development of educational psychology and a major player in the Tasmanian education system. He was on the staff of the Philip Smith Training College in Hobart from 1922-42 and was responsible for establishing the Tasmanian Education Department's first psychological clinic. He also established specialist classes, including those for the gifted and Welfare Schools for slow learners. Parker was also first chairman of the Australian branch of the British Psychological Society; an original member of the Australian Council for Educational Research; and President of the Tasmanian Free Library Movement at the time of his death.

Details

Events

1907 -

Career position - Joined the Department of Public Instruction

1909

Education - Completed teacher training at Teachers' College

1910 - 1914

Career position - Taught in New South Wales

1914 - 1915

Career position - Temporary Assistant at Battery Point State School in Hobart

1915 - 1920

Career position - Teacher-in-charge of schools at Gormanston, Westbury, Strahan and Penguin in Tasmania

1918

Education - Bachelor of Arts (BA) completed at the University of Tasmania

1921

Career position - Taught in Sydney and Melbourne

1921

Education - Master of Arts (MA) completed at the University of Tasmania

1922 - 1942

Career position - Supervisor for special classes and staff member of Philip Smith Training College in Hobart

1924

Career position - Established the Girls' Welfare School

1928

Career position - Established the Boys' Welfare School

1933 - 1942

Career position - Departmental Psychologist and Supervisor of Research (at Philip Smith Training College?)

c. 1934

Career position - Established classes for intellectually gifted at the Elizabeth Street School

1942

Career position - Established a Psychologists Office within the Education Department of Tasmania

1944 - 1955

Career position - Education Officer and Chief Psychologist in the Education Department

Published resources

Book Sections

• Anderson, Allan G., 'Parker, Henry Thomas (1890-1957)', in Geoffrey Serle (ed.), Australian Dictionary of Biography, vol. 11, Melbourne University Press, Melbourne, 1988, p. 138. Also available at http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A110142b.htm. Details

Online Resources

• National Library of Australia, 'Parker, H T', Trove, National Library of Australia and the Australian National Maritime Museum Darling Harbour, 2009, http://nla.gov.au/nla.party-636162. Details