Calvert, Joseph Patrick (Pat)   (1906 - 1988)

Born on March 7, 1906, in the County of Donegal Ireland, died May 26 1988 in Canberra.

He had his tertiary education at the Queen's University of Belfast, where he graduated BSc in 1927 with botany as his major subject. He subsequently specialised in plant physiology, obtaining his MSc in 1929 at the early age of 23.

Pat was one of four appointees who came out from Britain early in 1930 to join the staff of the newly established Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, subsequently to become the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO).

His initial appointment was to the position of assistant botanist (weeds), but he also had the additional responsibility of looking after the embryonic herbarium, since developed into the Australian National Herbarium – a major repository for reference specimens of Australian plants, and an important centre for research on Australian flora.

William Hartley remembered him during the 1930s:

"He was one of the best-known residents of the infant city, whether in the black suits which he favoured for work and more formal occasions, or in the striped jerseys of the football field. And whether on foot or at the wheel of the 'Baby Austin' which he drove with a reckless abandon."

Source: Extracted from: Hartley, William (1988) obituary.
http://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/calvert-joseph-patrick-pat-23068
The Canberra Times Friday 10 June 1988 Page 12
'Obituary: Dr JOSEPH ("PAT") CALVERT Irishman who nurtured the National Herbarium'
Portrait Photo: 1968, in Canberra Times, 10 June 1988, p.12

Collecting localities for 'Calvert, J.' from AVH (2024)

Data from 254 specimens