Craig, David Parker (1919 - 2015)

Summary

David Craig was a theoretical chemist who made significant contributions in the fields of quantum theory and spectroscopy of aromatic molecules, molecular crystals, quantum electrodynamics and chirality. He was foundation Professor of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry at the Australian National University, Canberra from 1967 to 1984. Craig is commemorated in the David Craig Wing at the Research School of Chemistry, Australian National University, opened 1995, and the David Craig Medal awarded by the Australian Academy of Science since 1999.

Details

Chronology

1940

Education - Bachelor of Science (BSc(Hons)), University of Sydney

1941

Education - Master of Science (MSc), University of Sydney

1942 - 1944

Military service - Second World War. Captain, Second Australian Imperial Force

1944 - 1946

Career position - Lecturer in Physical Chemistry, University of Sydney

1946 - 1949

Career position - Turner and Newall Research Fellow, University College, London

1949

Education - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), University College, London

1949 - 1952

Career position - Lecturer, University College, London

1952 - 1956

Career position - Professor of Physical Chemistry, University of Sydney

1956 - 1967

Career position - Professor of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, University College, London

1967 - 1984

Career position - Foundation Professor of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Australian National University

1968 - 2009

Award - Fellow, Royal Society of New South Wales

1968 - 2015

Award - Fellow, The Royal Society, London (FRS)

1969 - 2015

Award - Fellow, Australian Academy of Science (FAA)

1970 - 1973

Career position - Dean, Research School of Chemistry, Australian National University

1972

Award - H.G. Smith Memorial Medal, Royal Australian Chemical Institute

1977 - 2015

Career position - Member, International Academy of Quantum Molecular Science

1980 - 1984

Career position - Chairman, Queen Elizabeth II Fellowships Committee

1980 - 1985

Career position - Member of the Executive (part-time), CSIRO

1982

Award - Archibald Liversidge Medal and Lecture, Royal Society of New South Wales

1984 - 2015

Career position - Emeritus Professor, Australian National University

1985

Award - Honorary Doctorate, University of Bologna, Italy

1985

Award - DSc Honoris causa, University of Sydney

1985

Award - Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) - in recognition of service to the community, particularly in the field of physical chemistry

1985

Award - Russell Grimwade Lecturer, Royal Australian Chemical Institute

1990 - 1994

Career position - President, Australian Academy of Science

1991

Award - Leighton Memorial Medal, Royal Australian Chemical Institute

1999

Award - David Craig Medal inaugurated by the Australian Academy of Science

2001

Award - Centenary Medal - for service to Australian society and science in theoretical chemistry

2009 - 2015

Award - Distinguished Fellow, Royal Society of New South Wales

Related entries

Archival resources

Adolph Basser Library, Australian Academy of Science

• David Parker Craig - Records, MS 182; Adolph Basser Library, Australian Academy of Science. Details
• Ian Gordon Ross - Records, 1844 - 2004, MS 220; Adolph Basser Library, Australian Academy of Science. Details
• Oral Collection, 1931 - 2003, MS 057; Adolph Basser Library, Australian Academy of Science. Details

Private hands (Craig, D.P.)

• David Parker Craig - Records, 1952 - 1987; Private hands (Craig, D.P.). Details

Published resources

Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation Exhibitions

• Smith, Ailie, Adolph Basser Library Manuscript Collection, eScholarship Research Centre, 2012, http://www.eoas.info/basser_browse.html. Details

Journal Articles

• 'Obituaries', Australian Academy of Science Newsletter, 101 (2015), https://science.org.au/publications/newsletter-101/deceased-fellows. Details
• Anon, 'Professor David Craig, theoretical chemist at ANU', Chemistry in Australia, 2015/6 (Dec/Jan) (2016), 32. Details
• Craig, D., 'A journey with good companions: fifty years of quantum chemistry', Advances in Quantum Chemistry, 34 (1999), 1-50. Details
• Craig, D. P., 'Physical Chemistry at the University of Sydney', Australian Journal of Science, 16 (1954), 138-139. Details
• Hush, Noel S.; and Radom, Leo, 'David Parker Craig 1919 - 2015', Historical Records of Australian Science, 28 (2) (2017), 159-70, https://doi.org/10.1071/HR17018. Details
• Hush, Noel S.; and Radom, Leo, 'David Parker Craig AO FAA, 23 December 1919 - 1 July 2015', Biographical memoirs of Fellows of the Royal Society, 64 (2018), 107-29, https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbm.2017.0017. Details
• Reimers, Jeffrey R., 'Putting David Craig's legacy to work in nanotechnology and biotechnology', Australian Journal of Chemistry, 69 (12) (2016), 1331-59. Details

Resources

• Wikidata, http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q5238303. Details
• VIAF - Virtual International Authority File, OCLC, https://viaf.org/viaf/109713698. Details
• CA 2002, 2 Echelon, Army Headquarters; CA 46, Department of Defence [III], Central Office, 'NAA: B883, NX116814', B883 Second Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1939-1947, National Archives of Australia, RecordSearch, https://RecordSearch.naa.gov.au/scripts/AutoSearch.asp?O=I&Number=5646726. Details
• 'Craig, D P (1919-)', Trove, National Library of Australia, 2009, https://nla.gov.au/nla.party-462896. Details

Resource Sections

• 'Vale: Former Academy President David Craig', in Australian Academy of Science, 3 July 2015, https://www.science.org.au/news/vale-former-academy-president-david-craig. Details
• Craig, David, 'Interview with Professor Neville Fletcher', in Interviews with Australian scientists, Australian Academy of Science, 17 August 1999, https://www.science.org.au/learning/general-audience/history/interviews-australian-scientists/professor-neville-fletcher. Details
• Craig, David, 'Interview with Professor Louis Davies (1923-2001)', in Interviews with Australian scientists, Australian Academy of Science, 15 December 1999, https://www.science.org.au/learning/general-audience/history/interviews-australian-scientists/professor-louis-davies-1923-2001. Details
• Crompton, Bob, 'Interview with Professor David Craig', in Interviews with Australian scientists, Australian Academy of Science, 18 May 1998, https://www.science.org.au/learning/general-audience/history/interviews-australian-scientists/professor-david-craig-1919-2015. Details

See also

• Aroney, M. J.; Buckingham, A. D., 'Raymond James Wood Le Fèvre 1905-1986', Historical Records of Australian Science, 7 (3) (1988), 273-297. https://doi.org/10.1071/HR9880730273. Details
• David Craig Medal and Lecture, Australian Academy of Science, 2022. https://www.science.org.au/supporting-science/awards-and-opportunities/david-craig-medal-and-lecture. Details
• Hyde, B. G.; and Day, P, 'John Stuart Anderson', Historical Records of Australian Science, 9 (2) (1992), 127-49. https://doi.org/10.1071/HR9920920127. Details
• Walsh, A.; and Willis, J. B., 'Albert Lloyd George Rees 1916-1989', Historical Records of Australian Science, 9 (1) (1992), 31-47. https://doi.org/10.1071/HR9920910031. Details