Biographical entry Robinson, Robert (1886 - 1975)

Summary

(Sir) Robert Robinson was Professor of Chemistry at Oxford University from 1930-55 and spent 3 years at the University of Sydney (1913-15) as Professor of Organic Chemistry (Pure and Applied). He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1947 for his investigations on plant products of biological importance, especially the alkaloids. Robinson has received many other honours including a knighthood in 1939, the Commandeur de la Légion d'Honneur and Order of the Rising Sun, 2nd class (Japan).

Details

Events

1913 - 1915

Career position - Professor of Organic Chemistry (Pure and Applied) at the University of Sydney

1916

Career position - Heath Harrison Professor of Organic Chemistry in Liverpool, UK

1920

Career position - Director of Research at the British Dyestuffs Corporation Ltd

1921

Career position - Professor of Chemistry at St Andrews, UK

1922 - 1928

Career position - Professor of Organic Chemistry at the University of Manchester, UK

1928 - 1930

Career position - Professor of Organic Chemistry at University College, London

1929

Award - Bakerian Lecturer for the Royal Society

1930

Award - Davy Medallist of the Royal Society

1930

Award - Longstaff Medallist of the Chemical Society

1930 - 1955

Career position - Wayneflete Professor of Chemistry at the University of Oxford

1932

Award - Royal Medallist

1939

Award - Knight Bachelor (Kt cr)

1939

Award - Paracelsus Medallist of the Swiss Chemical Society received

1939 - 1941

Career position - President of the Chemical Society

1942

Award - Copley Medallist of the Royal Society

1945 - 1950

Career position - President of the Royal Society

1947

Award - Albert Gold Medal received from the Royal Society of Arts

1947

Award - Franklin Medal received from the Franklin Institute, Philadelphia

1947

Award - Nobel Prize for Chemistry received

1949

Award - Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) received

1953

Award - Priestley Medal received from the American Chemical Society

1955

Career position - President of the British Association for the Advancement of Science

1957

Award - Hofmann Medal received from the German Chemical Society

1958 - 1959

Career position - President of the Society of Chemical Industry

1960

Award - Flintoff Medal received from the Chemical Society

Published resources

Journal Articles

• Birch, A. J., 'Sir Robert Robinson: a Contemporary historical assessment and a personal memoir', Proceedings of the Royal Society of New South Wales, vol. 109, no. 3/4, 1976, pp. 151-160. Details
• Birch, Arthur J., 'Investigating a Scientific Legend: the Tropinone Synthesis of Sir Robert Robinson, FRS', Notes and Records of the Royal Society of London, vol. 47, 1993, pp. 277-296. Details

Online Resources

• 'The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1947 'for his investigations on plant products of biological importance, especially the alkaloids'', in Nobel e-Museum, 1996, http://www.nobel.se/chemistry/laureates/1947/index.html. Details
• 'Sir Robert Robinson - Biography', in Nobel e-Museum, 1996, http://www.nobel.se/chemistry/laureates/1947/robinson-bio.html. Details
• 'Robinson, Robert', Trove, National Library of Australia, 2009, http://nla.gov.au/nla.party-959587. Details

See also

• Aroney, M. J.; Bukingham, A. D., 'Raymond James Wood Le Fevre 1905-1986', Historical Records of Australian Science, vol. 7, no. 3, 1988, pp. 273-297. Also available at http://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/HR9880730273.htm. Details
• Stephens, C.G. and Quirk, J.P., 'James Arthur Prescott 1890-1987', Historical Records of Australian Science, vol. 7, no. 3, 1988, pp. 299-313. Also available at http://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/HR9880730299.htm. Details