Lionel Gilbert facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lionel Gilbert
|
|
|---|---|
Gilbert in Burwood, N.S.W. while home on leave from Royal Australian Air Force radar operator's school in July 1943
|
|
| Born |
Lionel Arthur Gilbert
8 December 1924 |
| Died | 28 January 2015 (aged 90) |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Education | Bachelor of Arts in history (1963) PhD in botanical history (1972) |
| Alma mater | University of New England |
| Occupation | Historian, author, curator, lecturer, biographer |
| Known for | Applied, natural, and local history of Australia and New South Wales |
| Awards | Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), 1995 Centenary Medal, 2001 Doctor of Letters (Hon. D. Litt.), University of New England, 2008 |
Lionel Arthur Gilbert OAM CF (born December 8, 1924 – died January 28, 2015) was an Australian historian, writer, and museum expert. He focused on local history, natural history, and how history is used in real life.
Born in Burwood, Sydney, he first trained as a teacher. From 1946 to 1961, he worked in schools across New South Wales. In 1963, he earned a history degree from the University of New England. That same year, he became a lecturer and curator at the Armidale Teachers' College Museum of Education. He worked there until 1984, helping the museum grow and create a research center.
While at the college, Gilbert wrote many articles and books. Many of these focused on the local history of New South Wales, especially the New England area. In 1972, he earned his PhD in the history of plants from the University of New England. After retiring, Gilbert wrote several books about Australia's natural history. These included biographies of three Australian plant scientists and a history of Sydney's Royal Botanic Gardens. He received several awards for his work, including the Medal of the Order of Australia in 1995.
Contents
Early Life and School Teaching
Gilbert was born in Burwood, a suburb of Sydney, on December 8, 1924. He went to Burwood Primary School, Homebush Boys High School, and Fort Street High School. After finishing school, he worked briefly at a men's store in Sydney. In 1942, he received a scholarship to Sydney Teachers College. He trained there for one year to become a school teacher.
Serving in World War II
In 1943, Gilbert joined the Royal Australian Air Force. He was one of many Teachers College students who served in World War II. He worked as a radar operator in Arnhem Land until 1946.
Teaching in State Schools
After leaving the military, Gilbert became a secondary school teacher. He taught at Nabiac Central School from 1946 to 1954. In 1955, he became the Deputy Headmaster of Wauchope Primary School. He stayed there until 1960. That year, he became headmaster of Rocky River Primary School near Uralla, New South Wales. He held this job until 1961.
While working at Nabiac, Gilbert met Margaret Roberts. They married in 1949. Their daughter, Anne, was born in 1960.
University Studies and Museum Work
In 1955, Gilbert started studying history as an external student at the University of New England. This meant he studied from home. In 1961, the university hired him as a Research and Information Officer. He taught weekend classes on how to study local history. These classes were for adults across New South Wales.
Earning a History Degree
In 1963, he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in History with top honors. His thesis was about the history of plant knowledge along Australia's eastern coast from 1788 to 1815.
Curator at Armidale Teachers' College
In July 1963, Gilbert became a lecturer and curator at the Armidale Teachers' College Museum of Education. He held this job for 21 years. He helped the museum grow to better show the history of education in Australia. Between 1976 and 1980, he moved three old school buildings to the museum. These buildings came from Armidale High School and Dumaresq Public School.
Gilbert also created courses on local history for students. In 1974, he received a grant to start a Historical Resources Centre at the college. This center opened in 1976 with Gilbert as its first director. Its goal was to teach about the history of New England to students and community groups.
Gilbert remembered that between 1975 and 1978, over 5,700 students visited the museum on field trips. Many adults also visited to do historical or family research. In 1981, the Museums Association of Australia praised the museum for its "authenticity and detail."
In 1972, Gilbert became the head of the college's new History Department. He was also the Acting Deputy Principal before he retired in June 1984.
Community History Efforts
In 1967, Gilbert helped the National Trust of Australia and the Australian National University. They held lectures and exhibits on the local history of the New England area. This helped create a local chapter of the National Trust. It also led to the protection of several old colonial buildings in the area.
While at the college, Gilbert continued his studies. In 1972, he earned his PhD in the history of plants. His thesis was about plant research in New South Wales from 1811 to 1880. Also in 1972, he received a Churchill Fellowship. This allowed him to visit museums in the U.K. to learn how they helped with general education.
Other Contributions
In 1962, Gilbert became the Honorary Curator of the Armidale City Council's Folk Museum. He served in this role until 1982. When the museum needed more space, he helped move it to the nearby Hillgrove School. This new museum opened in 1977 and is now called the Museum of Rural Life and Industry. From 1975, he also served on the New South Wales State Archives Authority.
Writing and Publications
During his career, Gilbert wrote or co-wrote many papers and books. These often focused on Australian biographies, family histories, and local history. In 1974, he co-authored History Around Us. This book taught younger readers how to research local history. It was re-issued in 1984.
In 1978, Gilbert co-wrote a book about the first 50 years of teacher education in Armidale. In 1980, he published two more books. One was A Grave Look at History, which studied old graveyard monuments. The other was New England from Old Photographs, focusing on local history. From 1966, he also wrote articles for the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
Later Work and Recognition
Gilbert continued to write after he retired. He often focused on natural history. In 1985, 1992, and 2001, he wrote books about botanists William Woolls, Herman Rupp, and Joseph Maiden. In 1986, his book about the history of Sydney's Royal Botanic Gardens was published. Two years later, he became an Honorary Research Associate of the gardens. He was also a supporter of the Australian National Museum of Education. He was a member of Australia's National Trust.
Awards and Honors
Gilbert was recognized by several historical groups. He became a Fellow of the Society of Australian Genealogists in 1955. He was made an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Australian Historical Society in 1997. In 2007, he became a Fellow of the Federation of Australian Historical Societies.
On June 12, 1995, he received the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM). This award was for his work as a researcher and curator of local history. On January 1, 2001, he was given the Centenary Medal. This was for his service to the community through education and local history. The University of New England gave him an honorary Doctor of Letters degree in 2008. Gilbert also served as president of the Armidale and District Historical Society. He was honored with the Freedom of the City of Armidale.
Personal Life
Gilbert and his wife, Margaret, lived in Armidale, New South Wales, from 1961. He passed away in Armidale on January 28, 2015. He was survived by his wife, his daughter Anne, his son-in-law Tony Bennett, and his grandson Alexei.
Awards and Professional Roles
- 1955 Fellow, Society of Australian Genealogists
- 1972 Churchill Fellowship
- 1988 Honorary Research Associate, Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney
- 1995 Medal of the Order of Australia
- 1997 Honorary Fellow, Royal Australian Historical Society
- 2001 Centenary Medal
- 2007 Fellow, Federation of Australian Historical Societies
- 2008 Doctor of Letters, University of New England
- Freedom of the City of Armidale, New South Wales
- President of the Armidale and District Historical Society
Selected Publications
