P000538 revised AU-VU:EOAS Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation

All key entry types: Awards; Concepts; Corporate Bodies (Organisations); Cultural Artefacts; People; etc

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 English AACR2 Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules Person created 1993-10-20 human Gavan McCarthy; Ken McInnes updated 2026-03-25 human https://www.eoas.info/biogs/P000538b.htm person Kernot William Charles AACR2 16 June 1845 14 March 1909 Place of Birth Rochford, Essex, England Place of Death Parkville, Victoria, Australia Engineer William Kernot arrived in Australia in 1851. He studied at the University of Melbourne and worked in the Victorian Department of Mines and Water Supply Office. He was Lecturer in Engineering, University of Melbourne 1868-1882 and Professor 1883-1909. President of the Royal Society of Victoria 1885-1900.

Educated University of Melbourne (BA 1865, MA 1866, Certificate of Engineering, MCE). Worked in various government departments and as a part-time lecturer in Engineering 1866-75, expanded his University teaching and engaged in consulting work from 1875. Australia's first Professor of Engineering, University of Melbourne 1883-1909. President, Victorian Institution of Engineers, The Victorian Institute of Surveyors and The Royal Society of Victoria 1885-1900.

He is commemorated by the Kernot Memorial Medal for "Distinguished Engineering Achievement in Australia", awarded by the University of Melbourne.

1851 1851 Life event - Arrived in Australia, with parents and siblings 1865 1865 Education - Bachelor of Arts (BA), University of Melbourne 1866 1866 Education - Master of Arts (MA), University of Melbourne c. 1870 Career position - Member, Board of Examiners, Shires Statute and Boroughs Statute 1869 VIC 1883 1883 Career event - Foundation Member, Victorian Engineers Association 1883 1909 Career position - Foundation Professor of Engineering, University of Melbourne 1 Dec 1885 1 Dec 1885 Career event - Associate (AssocInstCE), Institution of Civil Engineers, London 1888 Career event - Original [founding] member, Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science 1888 Career position - Founding Vice-President, Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science 1888 1888 Career position - President, Section J (Engineering and Architecture), Australasian Association for the Advencement of Science 5 Feb 1901 5 Feb 1901 Career event - Member (MInstCE), Institution of Civil Engineers, London 1909 1909 Buried - Boroondara Cemetery, Victoria Brennan, Louis Philip (1852 - 1932)

Kernot made calculations on which a working model of the steerable Brennan torpedo was based, and was later awarded £500 by Brennan.

 Higgins, George (1856 - 1943)

George Higgins was a pall-bearer at Professor Kernot's' funeral, 1909.

 Intercolonial Exhibition of Australasia (1866 - 1867)

Section chairman and Juror for the Exhibition

 Arnot, Arthur James (1865 - 1946)

William Kernot MInstCE endorsed Arthur Arnot's nomination for MInstCE, 1907

 Royal Society of Victoria (1859 - )

President 1885 - 1900

 Faculty of Engineering, The University of Melbourne (1860 - )

Lecturer in Engineering 1868 - 1882; Professor of Engineering 1883 - 1909

 Mann, James (c. 1857 - 1921)

James Mann was in charge of the Engineering Laboratory, School of Engineering, from c.1889-1909 when Kernot was Professor.

 Anderson, Joshua Thomas Noble (1865 - 1949)

Associate at the University of Melbourne

 Victorian Institute of Engineers (1883 - 1949)

Foundation Member 1883, President 1886, 1897 - 1898 and 1906 - 1907

 Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science (1888 - 1930)

Original [founding] member and Vice-President 1888; President, Section J (Architecture and Engineering) 1888

 Oliver, Calder Edkins (1855 - 1930)

William Kernot was the brother-in-law of Calder Oliver.

 Wallaby Club (1894 - )

President 1901-1902

 Kernot Memorial Medal, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Melbourne (1926 - )

William Charles Kernot is commemorated by the Kernot Memorial Medal, awarded annually for "Distinguished Engineering in Australia".

 Garson, George (1862 - 1911)

William Kernot MInstCE endorsed George Garson's nomination for MInstCE 1906

 Baracchi, Pietro Paolo Giovanni Ernesto (1851 - 1926)

Pietro Baracchi was a pall-bearer at Professor Kernot's funeral, 1909

 Spencer, Walter Baldwin (1860 - 1929)

Baldwin Spencer was a pall-bearer at Professor Kernot's funeral, 1909.

 Gordon, George (1829 - 1907)

George Gordon MInstCE proposed William Kernot's nomination for AssocInstCE in 1885

 Warren, William Henry (1852 - 1926)

William Warren AssocMInstCE endorsed William Kernot's nomination for AssocInstCE in 1885

 Steel, William Heron (1830 - 1889)

William Steel AssocMInstCE endorsed William Kernot's nomination for AssocInstCE in 1885

 Watson, Robert (1822 - 1891)

Robert Watson MInstCE endorsed William Kernot's nomination for AssocInstCE in 1885

 Derry, John Dickson (1840 - 1913)

John Derry MInstCE endorsed William Kernot's nomination for AssocInstCE in 1885

 Murray, Stuart (1837 - 1919)

William Kernot MInstCE proposed Stuart Murray's nomination for MInstCE in 1904

 Mead, Elwood (1858 - 1936)

William Kernot MInstCE endorsed Elwood Mead's nomination for MInstCE in 1908

 Royal Commission for Promoting Technological and Industrial Instruction, Parliament of Victoria (1869 - 1890)

Member of Commission 1880 - c1890

 Working Men's College (1882 - 1933)

President of Council, 1889 - 1900

 Mais, Henry Coathupe (1827 - 1916)

Henry Mais was a pall-bearer at Professor Kernot's funeral, 1909

 Kernot, Wilfred Noyce (1868 - 1945) Kernot, Maurice Edwin (1852 - 1934)

Wikidata

VIAF - Virtual International Authority File

 Kernot, W C

Trove

 'Kernot, William Charles', in Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation, Centre for Transformative Innovation, Swinburne University of Technology Kernot, William Charles Swinburne University of Technology, Centre for Transformative Innovation Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation Journal Article: The Quebec bridge disaster (Paper & Discussion) Kernot, William Charles The Quebec bridge disaster (Paper & Discussion) 1909 Proceedings of the Victorian Institute of Engineers vol. IX 114-119, 127-130, 148 Journal Article: The Monier-system of construction (Paper & Discussion) Kernot, William Charles The Monier-system of construction (Paper & Discussion) 1900 Various Papers and Discussions of the Victorian Institute of Engineers vol. II 1892-1899 Journal Article: Extensometer Kernot, William Charles Extensometer 1900 Various Papers and Discussions of the Victorian Institute of Engineers vol. II 1892-1899 Journal Article: Notes on the weight of crowds Kernot, William Charles Notes on the weight of crowds 1900 Various Papers and Discussions of the Victorian Institute of Engineers vol. II 1892-1899 Journal Article: Presidential Address 1899 Kernot, William Charles Presidential Address 1899 1900 Various Papers and Discussions of the Victorian Institute of Engineers vol. II 1892-1899 Journal Article: 150 Years, 150 Stories: William Charles Kernot Flesch, Juliet and McPhee, Peter 150 Years, 150 Stories: William Charles Kernot 2002 Uni News 11 25 4 Resource Section: Kernot, William Charles Kernot, William Charles Australian Science Archives Project 1995 Physics in Australia to 1945 R.W. Home, with the assistance of Paula J. Needham Journal Article: Kernot. The Man among his Students Corbett, Arthur H. Kernot. The Man among his Students 1962 University of Melbourne Gazette 8 2-5 Journal Article: Economy in framed structures (Discussion) Kernot, William Charles Economy in framed structures (Discussion) 1907 Proceedings of the Victorian Institute of Engineers vol. VII 9-11 Journal Article: Some Notes on the Storage of Electricity and Faure's Form of Plante's Secondary Battery Kernot, W. C. Some Notes on the Storage of Electricity and Faure's Form of Plante's Secondary Battery Melbourne Wilson & Mackinnon 1882 Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria 18 47 Journal Article: Testing machines and testing (Lecture) Testing machines and testing (Lecture) 1909 Proceedings of the Victorian Institute of Engineers vol. IX 177-182 Conference Paper: The Victorian Engineers of University Square Beauchamp, David The Victorian Engineers of University Square Auckland, New Zealand Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand 2000 Second Australasian Conference on Engineering Heritage, Auckland, 14-16 February, 2000: Proceedings 43-49 Journal Article: The relation of mathematics to Engineers (Presidential Address) Kernot, William Charles The relation of mathematics to Engineers (Presidential Address) 1909 Proceedings of the Victorian Institute of Engineers vol. IX 10-20 Journal Article: The Quebec bridge disaster (Paper & Discussion) Kernot, William Charles The Quebec bridge disaster (Paper & Discussion) 1908 Proceedings of the Victorian Institute of Engineers vol. VIII 108-113, 122, 131-132 Journal Article: Engineering education (Paper & Discussion) Kernot, William Charles Engineering education (Paper & Discussion) 1908 Proceedings of the Victorian Institute of Engineers vol. VIII 8-22 Journal Article: Railway gauge (Paper & Discussion) Kernot, William Charles Railway gauge (Paper & Discussion) 1907 Proceedings of the Victorian Institute of Engineers vol. VII 70-81, 82-93, 134-136 Journal Article: Introductory notes on the motor car (Paper & Discussion) Kernot, William Charles Introductory notes on the motor car (Paper & Discussion) 1905 Proceedings of the Victorian Institute of Engineers vol. V 47-56, 65-66, 81-89 Journal Article: The maintenance of iron bridges, with special reference to the present state of the Brooklyn Bridge (Paper & Discussion) Kernot, William Charles The maintenance of iron bridges, with special reference to the present state of the Brooklyn Bridge (Paper & Discussion) 1905 Proceedings of the Victorian Institute of Engineers vol. IV 90-100 Journal Article: The stresses on skew arches (Paper & Discussion) Kernot, William Charles The stresses on skew arches (Paper & Discussion) 1903 Proceedings of the Victorian Institute of Engineers vol. III 52-57 Journal Article: Proposed improvement in centrifugal gravity governors (Paper & Discussion) Kernot, William Charles Proposed improvement in centrifugal gravity governors (Paper & Discussion) 1903 Proceedings of the Victorian Institute of Engineers vol. III 70-73 Journal Article: Economy in framed structures (Paper & Discussion) Kernot, William Charles Economy in framed structures (Paper & Discussion) 1906 Proceedings of the Victorian Institute of Engineers vol. VI 160-170, 172-175 Journal Article: A disputed point as to strength of beams Kernot, William Charles A disputed point as to strength of beams 1900 Various Papers and Discussions of the Victorian Institute of Engineers vol. II 1892-1899 Journal Article: The Victorian Engineers of University Square Beauchamp, David The Victorian Engineers of University Square Barton, Australian Capital Territory Engineers Australia 2002 Transactions of Multi-disciplinary Engineering, Australia GE26 25-33 Journal Article: Presidential Address 1898 Kernot, William Charles Presidential Address 1898 1900 Various Papers and Discussions of the Victorian Institute of Engineers vol. II 1892-1899 Edited Book: Anything is possible: 100 Australian engineering leaders Engineers Australia Anything is possible: 100 Australian engineering leaders Barton, A.C.T. Institution of Engineers, Australia 2019 Journal Article: The height and strength of handrails or parapets of bridges and similar structures (Paper & Discussion) Kernot, William Charles The height and strength of handrails or parapets of bridges and similar structures (Paper & Discussion) 1900 Various Papers and Discussions of the Victorian Institute of Engineers vol. II 1892-1899 Book Section: Kernot, Wilfred Noyce (1868-1945), engineer Murray-Smith, S. Kernot, Wilfred Noyce (1868-1945), engineer Melbourne Melbourne University Press 1983 Australian dictionary of biography, volume 9: 1891 - 1939 Gil-Las Bede Nairn and Geoffrey Serle 573-574 Newspaper Article: Funeral of Professor Kernot Funeral of Professor Kernot 1909 The Age 7 Journal Article: The testing of materials and of details of construction Kernot, W. C. The testing of materials and of details of construction Transactions and Proceedings of the Victorian Institute of Surveyors 4 1891-1899 29-42 Journal Article: On the design of iron girders with open webs, and Appendix Kernot, K. C. On the design of iron girders with open webs, and Appendix Transactions and Proceedings of the Victorian Institute of Surveyors 2 1880-1884 66-77 Book: On some common errors in iron bridge design Kernot, W. C. On some common errors in iron bridge design 2nd Melbourne Ford & Son, Printers 1906 Journal Article: The adjustments of the theodolite Kernot, W. C. The adjustments of the theodolite Transactions and Proceedings of the Victorian Institute of Surveyors 2 1880-1884 9-16 Journal Article: Logarithmic computations for survey purposes Kernot, W. C. Logarithmic computations for survey purposes Transactions and Proceedings of the Victorian Institute of Surveyors 1 1874-1880 63-67 Journal Article: Address by [...] President of Section J - Architecture and Engineering [Waterways of bridges and culverts] Kernot, W. C. Address by [...] President of Section J - Architecture and Engineering [Waterways of bridges and culverts] Sydney Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science 1889 Report of the first meeting of the Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science 1 555-563 Journal Article: Report of Committee No. 14 : The State and progress of Chemical Science in Australia, with Special Reference to Gold and Silver Appliances Used in the Colonies and Elsewhere Black, Professor; Kernot, Professor W.C.; Leibius, Dr. C.A.; Liversidge, Professor A.; Masson, Professor Orme, Rennie, Professor, Cox, Mrs. S.H.; Secretary Report of Committee No. 14 : The State and progress of Chemical Science in Australia, with Special Reference to Gold and Silver Appliances Used in the Colonies and Elsewhere Melbourne Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science 1890 Report of the second meeting of the Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science 2 283-292 Conference Paper: The Kernot engineers Ferguson, Jim The Kernot engineers 2003 Engineering Heritage Victoria, Speakers Programme Journal Article: William Charles Kernot (1845-1909) Vasey, G. H. William Charles Kernot (1845-1909) 1985 The Chartered Engineer Victoria 57 20 8 Resource: Civil Engineer Membership Forms, 1818-1930 Institution of Civil Engineers, London Civil Engineer Membership Forms, 1818-1930 ancestry.com Resource: Civil Engineer Membership Forms, 1818-1930 Institution of Civil Engineers, London Civil Engineer Membership Forms, 1818-1930 ancestry.com Resource: Minutes of the Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers Institution of Civil Engineers Minutes of the Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers Institution of Civil Engineers Journal Article: Our late Professor Kernot [W. C. Kernot] Our late Professor Kernot [W. C. Kernot] Melbourne University Engineering Society 1910 The Varsity Engineer 1 Frontispiece Newspaper Article: Death of Professor Kernot : A distinguished engineer Death of Professor Kernot : A distinguished engineer 1909 The Age 7 Book: A History of Defence Science in Australia Wisdom, John A History of Defence Science in Australia Melbourne Defence Science and Technology Organisation 1995 Resource: Technology in Australia 1788-1988 Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering Technology in Australia 1788-1988 Online Melbourne Australian Science and Technology Heritage Centre 2000 Book: 150 years, 150 stories: brief biographies of one hundred and fifty remarkable people associated with the University of Melbourne Flesch, Juliet and McPhee, Peter 150 years, 150 stories: brief biographies of one hundred and fifty remarkable people associated with the University of Melbourne Melbourne Department of History, University of Melbourne 2003 Edited Book: Wonders never cease: 100 Australian engineering achievements Engineers Australia Wonders never cease: 100 Australian engineering achievements Barton, Australian Capital Territory Institution of Engineers, Australia 2019 Book: Dictionary of Australian biography Serle, Percival Dictionary of Australian biography Sydney Angus & Robertson 1949 Resource: RMIT University History RMIT University Archives RMIT University History RMIT University Archives 2022 Resource: Science and the making of Victoria Australian Science and Technology Heritage Centre Science and the making of Victoria 2001 William Charles Kernot - Records National Library of Australia Manuscript Collection William Charles Kernot - Records MS 2276 1893 - 1963 Biographical material including a civil engineering lecture c1893 and a biography believed to have been prepared by his brother Professor W.N. Kernot [1.25 cm]. 0.0125 m William Charles Kernot - Records State Library of Victoria, Australian Manuscripts Collection William Charles Kernot - Records 1877 - 1908 Correspondence, mainly from institutions; lectures; addresses; calculations; diagrams; reports; notes and notebooks on engineering matters including the Brennan torpedo; newspapers cuttings; photographs; cartoons and a book entitled "The Kernot Family"; overall dates 1877-1908 [3 boxes]. 3 boxes Artwork, Photographs William Charles Kernot - Records Adolph Basser Library, Australian Academy of Science William Charles Kernot - Records MS 041 1893 - 1909 Biographical material including a biography from manuscript notes in the hand of his brother Professor Wilfred Kernot; introductory lecture to 3rd year Engineering course, University of Melbourne c1893 [5 mm, MS 41]. 1 folder Kernot, William Charles Portrait Kernot, William Charles Portrait Royal Society of Victoria Presidential Portrait

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