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History of Science, Ideas & Technology Group Inc
Date/Time: Monday, 3 November 2014, 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm
Location: Ira Raymond Room, Barr Smith Library, North Terrace Campus
Cost: Gold coin donation
More information: Visit website
Professor Ralph Tate: 'Professor of Everything'
Speaker: Dr Barbara Kidman, University of Adelaide
Ralph Tate was appointed as Professor of Natural History at the new University of Adelaide in September 1875. From April 1876 he was teaching a multiplicity of subjects, which included botany, geology, geography, mineralogy, and palaentology; subjects which today would be taught by at least three separate Chairs.
He established a remarkable natural history museum which focused on botany and geology and included a significant collection of type specimens of Australian mollusc species. He gave very popular public lectures on the minerals of South Australia and the Northern Territory and breathed new life into the Philosophical Society (now the Royal Society). Unlike other foundation professors he remained in Adelaide, making a major contribution to natural science and to conservation.
Contact: Dr Pauline Payne, President, History of Science, Ideas and Technology Group, Business: +61 8 8361 8040
