P000747 revised AU-VU:EOAS Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation

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

These key entries are listed separately below with other indexes and lists.

 English AACR2 Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules Person created 1993-10-20 human Gavan McCarthy [P004098] and Helen Cohn updated 2026-02-24 human https://www.eoas.info/biogs/P000747b.htm person Rivett Albert Cherbury David KCMG FAA FRS AACR2 Rivett, David 4 December 1885 1 April 1961 Place of Birth Port Esperance, Tasmania, Australia Place of Death Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Chemist Science administrator Sir David Rivett was a member of the CSIR Executive 1926-1949 becoming Chief Executive Officer in 1927 and then Chairman in 1946. Earlier he held the post of Professor of Chemistry at the University of Melbourne 1924-1927. The David Rivett Medal, named in his honour, is awarded by the CSIRO Officers Association. 1906 1906 Education - Bachelor of Science (BSc), University of Melbourne 1907 1907 Award - Rhodes Scholarship 1909 1909 Education - Bachelor of Arts (BA), University of Oxford 1910 1910 Career position - Chemist, Nobel Institute of Physical Chemistry, Stockholm, Sweden 1910 1910 Education - Bachelor of Science (BSc), University of Oxford 1911 1912 Career position - Lecturer, Department of Chemistry, University of Melbourne 1912 1914 Career position - Organising secretary, 84th Meeting, British Association for the Advancement of Science 1913 1913 Education - Master of Arts (MA), University of Oxford 1913 1913 Education - Doctor of Science (DSc), University of Melbourne 1914 1919 Military service - First World War. Served with the Australian Army Medical Corps and at the British munitions works, United Kingdom 1921 Career position - Foundation Councillor (Chemistry), Australian National Research Council 1921 1924 Career position - Associate Professor, University of Melbourne 1924 1924 Career position - President, Section B (Chemistry), Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science 1924 1927 Career position - Professor of Chemistry, University of Melbourne 1927 1945 Career position - Chief Executive Officer and Deputy Chairman, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research 1930 1931 Career position - President, Society of Chemical Industry of Victoria 1935 1935 Award - Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) 1936 1937 Career position - Representative of the CSIR, Nutrition Advisory Council, Commonwealth Government 1937 1937 Career event - Fellow, Australian and New Zealand Association for the Advancement of Science (ANZAAS) 1937 1937 Award - R. M. Johnston Memorial Medal, Royal Society of Tasmania 1937 1939 Career position - President, Australian and New Zealand Association for the Advancement of Science 1939 1940 Career position - President, Australian Chemical Institute 1941 1941 Award - Fellow, The Royal Society, London (FRS) 1946 1949 Career position - Chairman (part-time), Council for Scientific and Industrial Research 1948 1949 Career position - President, Australian Chemical Institute 1949 1949 Career position - President, Society of Chemical Industry of London 1953 1953 Award - James Cook Medal, Royal Society of New South Wales 1953 1953 Career event - Petitioner for the Australian Academy of Science 1954 1961 Award - Founding Fellow, Australian Academy of Science (FAA) The University of Melbourne (1853 - )

Professor of Chemistry 1924 - 1927

 James Cook Medal, Royal Society of New South Wales (1954 - )

Awarded the Medal 1953

 H. G. Smith Memorial Medal, Royal Australian Chemical Institute (1929 - )

Awarded the Medal by the Australian Chemical Institute 1929

 Australian Chemical Institute (ACI) (1917 - 1953)

President 1939 - 1940 and 1948 - 1949

 R. M. Johnston Memorial Medal, Royal Society of Tasmania (1920 - )

Awarded the Medal 1937

 Australian and New Zealand Association for the Advancement of Science (ANZAAS) (1930 - )

President 1937 - 1939; Fellow 1937 -

 Society of Chemical Industry of Victoria (SCIV) (1900 - )

President 1930 - 1931

 Australian Academy of Science (1954 - )

Petitioner for the Academy 1953, Founding Fellow 1954 - 1961; Member of Council 1954 - .

 Australian National Research Council (ANRC) (1919 - 1955)

Foundation Member (Chemistry) 1921 -

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

President, Section B (Chemistry) 1924

 British Association for the Advancement of Science 84th Meeting (1914)

Organising Secretary 1912 - 1914

 Advisory Council - CSIRO, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (1950 - 1986)

Member CSIR Council 1926-1949; Member 1950-1956

 Central Inventions Board [Department of Defence], Commonwealth of Australia (1940 - 1941) CSIR Council, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (1926 - 1949)

Deputy Chairman 1927 - 1945; Chairman 1946 - 1949

 CSIR Executive Committee, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (1926 - 1949)

Member part-time April 1926 - 31 December 1926; Member fulltime 1 January 1927 - 7 June 1946; Chief Executive Officer 1927 - 1946

Wikidata

VIAF - Virtual International Authority File

 Rivett, David (1885-1961)

Trove

 'Rivett, Albert Cherbury David (David)', in Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation, Centre for Transformative Innovation, Swinburne University of Technology Rivett, Albert Cherbury David (David) Swinburne University of Technology, Centre for Transformative Innovation Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation Journal Article: Sir David Rivett Gresford, G. B. Sir David Rivett 1961 Journal and Proceedings of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute 28 182-184 Book: David Rivett: Fighter for Australian Science Rivett, R. David Rivett: Fighter for Australian Science Camberwell, Victoria R. D. Rivett 1972 Book: The Origins of CSIRO: Science and the Commonwealth Government, 1901-1926 Currie, George; Graham, John The Origins of CSIRO: Science and the Commonwealth Government, 1901-1926 Melbourne CSIRO 1966 Resource Section: Rivett, Albert Cherbury David - Ms 83 Rivett, Albert Cherbury David - Ms 83 Australian Academy of Science 1994 Listing of Adolph Basser Library holdings Journal Article: David Rivett Memorial Lecture. The Development of Modern Science Florey, Howard David Rivett Memorial Lecture. The Development of Modern Science 1963 Australian Journal of Science 26 99-105 Resource Section: Sir Albert Cherbury David Rivett Ward, C. Sir Albert Cherbury David Rivett Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) 2011 CSIROpedia Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Book: Surprise and Enterprise: Fifty Years of Science for Australia: CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Australia) McKay, Andrew Surprise and Enterprise: Fifty Years of Science for Australia: CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Australia) Melbourne CSIRO 1976 Journal Article: Environment, Economy and Australian Biology 1890-1939 Schedvin, C. B. Environment, Economy and Australian Biology 1890-1939 1984 Historical Studies 21 11-28 Book: CSIRO research for Australia: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization CSIRO CSIRO research for Australia: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization Canberra Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Organisation 1962 Journal Article: Presidential address: The scientific estate. Rivett, David Presidential address: The scientific estate. ANZAAS 1937 Report of the twenty-third meeting of the Australian and New Zealand Association for the Advancement of Science, Auckland meeting, January, 1937 F. J. A. Brogan 1-13 Journal Article: Sir David Orme Masson, 1858 - 1937 Rivett, A. C. D. Sir David Orme Masson, 1858 - 1937 1939 Obituary notices of Fellows of the Royal Society 2 7 454-64 Book: The application of science to industry in Australia Rivett, David The application of science to industry in Australia Brisbane W. R. Smith & Paterson 1944 Journal Article: Section B - Chemistry. Address by the President Rivett, A. C. D. Section B - Chemistry. Address by the President 1924 Report of 17th meeting of the Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science 171-95 Journal Article: CSIR and Australian industry, 1926-49 Upstill, Garrett; Spurling, Thomas H.; and Healy, Terence J. CSIR and Australian industry, 1926-49 2021 Historical Records of Australian Science 32 1 52-66 Book: David Rivett : fighter for Australian science Rivett, Rohan David Rivett : fighter for Australian science [Camberwell, Vic.] R. D. Rivett 1972 Book: The Records of Albert Cherbury David Rivett (1885-161) and the British Association for the Advancement of Science Australian Meeting, 1914 King, Bill; McCarthy, Gavan The Records of Albert Cherbury David Rivett (1885-161) and the British Association for the Advancement of Science Australian Meeting, 1914 Melbourne Australian Science Archives Project 1988 Book: Engineering a Legacy: Memories of the journey of CSIRO Chemical Engineering Beale, Bob Engineering a Legacy: Memories of the journey of CSIRO Chemical Engineering Clayton, Victoria CSIRO Minerals 2005 Book: Taking to the field: a history of Australian women in science Carey, Jane Taking to the field: a history of Australian women in science Clayton, Vic. Monash University Press 2023 Journal Article: Albert Cherbury David Rivett 1885 - 1961 Marston, H. R. Albert Cherbury David Rivett 1885 - 1961 1966 Biographical memoirs of Fellows of the Royal Society 12 437-55 Resource: Albert Cherbury David Rivett and the British Association for the Advancement of Science Australian Meeting, 1914 Guide to Records King, Bill; McCarthy, Gavan Albert Cherbury David Rivett and the British Association for the Advancement of Science Australian Meeting, 1914 Guide to Records Australian Science and Technology Heritage Centre 2004 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 Journal Article: Optical Instruments in Australia in the 1939-45 War: successes and lost opportunities Bolton, H. C. Optical Instruments in Australia in the 1939-45 War: successes and lost opportunities Melbourne Australian Science Archives Project 1990 Bright Sparcs Exhibition Papers Book Section: CSIRO Sherratt, Tim CSIRO Melbourne Oxford University Press 1998 Oxford Companion to Australian History Graeme Davison; John Hirst; Stuart Macintyre 164-165 Journal Article: Robert Gordon Menzies (1894-1978) White, F. W.G. Robert Gordon Menzies (1894-1978) 1980 Historical Records of Australian Science 5 1 68-102 Journal Article: Albert Lloyd George Rees 1916-1989 Walsh, A.; and Willis, J. B. Albert Lloyd George Rees 1916-1989 1992 Historical Records of Australian Science 9 1 31-47 Conference Paper: "On the beach": Australia's nuclear history Sherratt, Tim "On the beach": Australia's nuclear history 1996 Journal Article: Ian Murray Mackerras 1898-1980 Norris, K. R. Ian Murray Mackerras 1898-1980 1981 Historical Records of Australian Science 5 2 98-114 Journal Article: John Conrad Jaeger 1907-1979 Paterson, M. S. John Conrad Jaeger 1907-1979 1982 Historical Records of Australian Science 5 3 64-88 Journal Article: Lionel Bately Bull, 1889-1978 French, E. L.; and Stewart, D.F. Lionel Bately Bull, 1889-1978 1983 Historical Records of Australian Science 5 4 90-110 Journal Article: Walter Boas 1904-1982 Clarebrough, L. M.; Head, A. K. Walter Boas 1904-1982 1987 Historical Records of Australian Science 6 4 507-517 Journal Article: Ian William Wark 1899-1985 Rees, A. L. G. Ian William Wark 1899-1985 1987 Historical Records of Australian Science 6 4 533-548 Journal Article: James Arthur Prescott 1890-1987 Stephens, C.G.; and Quirk, J.P. James Arthur Prescott 1890-1987 1988 Historical Records of Australian Science 7 3 299-313 Journal Article: Arthur William Turner 1900-1989 French, E. L.; and Sutherland, A. K. Arthur William Turner 1900-1989 1992 Historical Records of Australian Science 9 1 49-63 Journal Article: John Stuart Anderson Hyde, B. G.; and Day, P John Stuart Anderson 1992 Historical Records of Australian Science 9 2 127-49 Journal Article: Edward George Bowen 1911-1991 Brown, R. Hanbury; Minnett, Harry C; White, Fredrick W. G. Edward George Bowen 1911-1991 1992 Historical Records of Australian Science 9 2 151-166 Book: A History of Defence Science in Australia Wisdom, John A History of Defence Science in Australia Melbourne Defence Science and Technology Organisation 1995 Book: Secular who's who : a biographical directory of freethinkers, secularists, rationalists, humanists and others involved in Australia's secular movement from 1850 onwards Dahlitz, Ray Secular who's who : a biographical directory of freethinkers, secularists, rationalists, humanists and others involved in Australia's secular movement from 1850 onwards Balwyn, Victoria R. Dahlitz 1994 Book: The Martin spirit: Charles Martin and the foundation of biological science in Australia Morison, Patricia The Martin spirit: Charles Martin and the foundation of biological science in Australia Canberra Halstead Press 2019 Journal Article: Oliphant, the Father of Atomic Energy Binnie, Anna Oliphant, the Father of Atomic Energy Royal Society of New South Wales 2006 Journal and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New South Wales 139 11-22 Resource Section: No time lost - Stanley Fowler Kay, Bruce No time lost - Stanley Fowler Canberra National Archives of Australia 2024 Stories from the archives 1 Journal Article: Leslie Harold Martin 1900-1983 Caro, D. E.; Martin, R. L. Leslie Harold Martin 1900-1983 1987 Historical Records of Australian Science 7 1 97-107 Albert Cherbury David Rivett - Records Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Corporate Records and Archives Strategies Albert Cherbury David Rivett - Records 1926 - 1961 Information and records in the official CSIR/O files c1926-61. Albert Cherbury David Rivett - Records Adolph Basser Library, Australian Academy of Science Albert Cherbury David Rivett - Records MS 083 1887 - 1961 A large collection of papers including material ranging from Rivett's student days, his career at the University of Melbourne, and Oxford 1907-10, his work for the British Ministry of Munitions during World War I, his return to Melbourne 1920-27, his work for CSIR/O 1927-59 including his work on the Advisory Council after 1950, and then to his death including: general correspondence 1919-59, diaries, personal material, manuscripts and typescripts of lectures and publications, journals and magazines, reports, addresses, editorials, parliamentary debates, work notes, press cuttings, photographs, degree and award certificates and various other materials; also documented is his association with the Australian National Research Council, the Second Pan-Pacific Sciences Conference 1923, the Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science 1924-32, the Royal Society of Victoria 1931-34, the Society of Chemical Industry of Victoria 1931-34, the Imperial Chemical Industries' organizations in Australia and New Zealand 1930-56, the Canberra University College 1947, the Australian National University 1951-53, the Australian Academy of Science 1952-55; records of Rivett's research into extracting oil from coal 1931-36; negotiations dealing with his consideration of the post of Vice-Chancellor of the University of Melbourne 1935; records of the attacks made on Rivett's administration of CSIR after World War II; overall dates 1907-61 [4.82 m, MS 83]. Records relating to the British Association for the Advancement of Science Australian Meeting 1914 comprising correspondence, notes, press cuttings, minutes financial statements, lists of participants, programmes and publications 1887-1931 [1.4 m, MS 83 2nd accession]. A detailed guide to the second accession is available from the Australian Science Archives Project. 4.21 m, 40 boxes Photographs Victoria Eugenics Society Wellcome Collection Victoria Eugenics Society SA/EUG/E.3 1914 - 1939 A set of 113 imaged pages dating 1914-1915 (Victorian Eugenics Society), 1925-1926 (Office of the Agent-General for Victoria) and 1937-1939 (Eugenics Society of Victoria). In the 1914-1915 correspondence ( 6 pages) of Carlotta Greenshields (37 Mary Street, Glenferrie) and W. Ernest Jones (Inspector-General of the Insane for Victoria) with the Sybil Gotto of the Eugenics Education Society, it is flagged that an attempt was made to establish an eugenics society in Victoria with Professor Bladwin Spencer as president. The initiative failed due to Bladwin Spencer being already overloaded and the intervention of the World War. Other people mentioned in this correspondence include J.C. Eldridge of Sydney and a Mr Macfie (5 Elm Grove, Armadale). The 1925-1926 correspondence (2 pages) concerns information about the Marriage Acts in Victoria. The 1937-1939 correspondence (105 pages) concerns the creation of the Eugenics Society of Victoria in 1936 and its relationship with the Eugenics Society (London). The principle correspondent is Dr Victor Hugo Wallace (Secretary, Eugenics Society of Victoria). Other include: Professor W.E. Agar, Dr C.P. Blacker (General Secretary, The Eugenics Society); Lord Horder; Mrs E.E. Potton; Dr Mennell; Geoffery Kaye (14 Collins Street Melbourne); Colin Clark (Bureau of Industry, Brisbane, Queensland); Clinton F. Chance. Includes publications of the Eugenics Society of Victoria including the "Syllabus of Lectures" for 1937, 1938 and 1939 which includes presentations by: Colin Clark; Dr W. Bryden; Dr Reg. S Ellery; Dr V.H. Wallace; Professor W.E. Agar; Dr Fritz Duras; Mrs Angela Booth; Dr P.M. Bachelard, Rev. William Bottomley; Dr C. Farran-Ridge; Dr John Dale; Dr K.S. Cunningham; and Dr Anita Muhl. Included is: "Publication No. 1" of the Eugenics Society of Victoria, 'Voluntary Sterilization for Human Betterment' by Mrs Angela Booth, July 1938; and the Annual Report 1939 which reports on donations and the establishment of a "Consultative Council" and the financial report from C. Mitchell Tovell, Honorary Treasurer. In the letterhead from 1939 the Consultative Council members are: Professor G.S. Browne; Dr K.S. Cunningham; Dr John Dale; Judge Foster; Mr J.D.G. Medley, M.A.; Sir David Rivett; and Dr Georgina Sweet. 1 file Digitised paper records, Victoria Eugenics Society Wellcome Collection Victoria Eugenics Society SA/EUG/E.4 1940 - 1961 A set of 161 imaged pages. This file covers the link between the Eugenics Society of Victoria and the Eugenics Society (London) 1940-1961. The key correspondent is V.H. Wallace, Secretary of the Eugenics Society of Victoria from its foundation in 1936 until it was brought to a close in 1961. Latter documents refer to Frank Macfarlane Burnet, M.J.D. White and R.N. Robertson. 1 file Digitised paper records Albert Cherbury Rivett Albert Cherbury Rivett With permission from CSIRO Archives

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