Biographical entry
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Biographical entry
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Swanson, Thomas Baikie (1910 - 1995)CBE, FRACI |
| Chemist |
| Born: 5 October 1910 Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia. Died: 18 August 1995 Australia. |
| Thomas Baikie Swanson worked for ICI Australia from 1945-71, serving as Executive Deputy Chairman from 1964. He was chairman of the Australian Comission on Advanced Education from 1971-76 and founding chairman of the Australian Maritime College Council from 1976-83. |
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After completing a chemistry degree at the University of Adelaide (MSc 1938), Thomas Baikie Swanson took up a lectureship there in pharmaceutical chemistry. One year later Swanson moved to New South Wales to take charge of the newly formed Department of Chemistry at the University of New England. Wanting a change from academia, Swanson joined ICI in 1939. Initially he worked as a technician in the area of pharmaceutics, then the biological and general chemical fields. Within six years he was made General Manager of the Chemical Group, then an Executive Director from 1955 and Executive Deputy Chairman from 1964. Thomas Swanson’s reputation was now well established. He was invited to chair many commissions, including the Australian Commission on Advanced Education (1971-76), the Swanson Committee of Inquiry into the Trade Practices Commission, and the Australian Maritime College Council. Swanson also served as Commissioner to the Victorian Health Commission (1978-80), President of the Australian Chemical Industry Council, President of the Victorian Branch of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute and National President from 1970-71. He was awarded the Leighton Medal (Royal Australian Chemical Institute) in 1972 and a CBE in 1976 for his service to education and industry. Chronology
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Published by The University of Melbourne eScholarship Research Centre on ASAPWeb, 1994 - 2007 Originally published 1994-1999 by Australian Science Archives Project, 1999-2006 by the Australian Science and Technology Heritage Centre Disclaimer, Copyright and Privacy Policy Submit any comments, questions, corrections and additions Prepared by: Acknowledgements Updated: 26 February 2007 http://www.asap.unimelb.edu.au/bsparcs/biogs/P002643b.htm |