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John Smith (New South Wales politician, born 1821)

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John Smith
Professor John Smith, Sydney, c.1885
Born(1821-12-12)12 December 1821
Peterculter, Aberdeen, Scotland
Died12 October 1885(1885-10-12) (aged 63)
Australia
Burial placeWaverley Cemetery
In office
3 November 1874 – 12 October 1885

John Smith CMG (12 December 1821 – 12 October 1885)[1] was a Professor of Chemistry and Experimental Physics at the University of Sydney, and a member of the New South Wales Legislative Council.[2]

Background

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Smith was born in Peterculter, Aberdeenshire, Scotland,[1] educated at the University of Aberdeen, where he graduated M.A. and M.D.[2] For five years he taught chemistry at Marischal College, and in 1852, when the University of Sydney was constituted, he was selected to be the first Professor of Chemistry and Experimental Physics, a position which he held for over thirty years. In 1853 he was appointed a member of the Board of National Education, and served till it was dissolved by the Public Schools Act of 1866, when he became a member of the Council of Education constituted thereunder, and was for a number of years president.[2] In 1867 he was appointed to a commission investigating the water supply for Sydney.[3]

On 3 November 1874 Smith was nominated to the Legislative Council,[4] and strongly advocated the adoption of a protectionist policy.[2] In 1876 the University of Aberdeen conferred on him the honorary degree of LL.D., and in 1877 he was created C.M.G. in recognition of his services in the cause of education. In May 1883 the New South Wales Government appointed him a member of the Board of Technical Education, which was abolished in 1890. He died on 12 October 1885.[2] Smith was elected trustee of the Australian Museum; vice-president of the Young Men's Christian Association and honorary treasurer of Sydney Infirmary and Dispensary from 1866 until 1867.[4]

References

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  1. ^ a b Michael Hoare, Joan T. Radford. "Smith, John (1821–1885)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Canberra: National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. ISBN 978-0-522-84459-7. ISSN 1833-7538. OCLC 70677943. Retrieved 23 August 2013.
  2. ^ a b c d e Mennell, Philip (1892). "Smith, Professor the Hon. John" . The Dictionary of Australasian Biography. London: Hutchinson & Co – via Wikisource.
  3. ^ "The Government Gazette: Water Commission". The Sydney Morning Herald Australia. 28 September 1867. p. 7. Retrieved 22 May 2016 – via Trove.
  4. ^ a b "Mr John Smith (1) (1821–1885)". Former members of the Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
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