The John Curtin School of Medical Research
The First Fifty Years 1948-1998
If Men Could Learn From History, What Lessons It Might Teach Us . Coleridge
The John Curtin School of Medical Research has a very distinguished history, and its
glittering prizes are unequalled in the history of medical research in Australia. It was
created as a unique institution, and a unique institution it remains.
The authors of this book are two of our most distinguished alumni, and both are former
Directors. Together they bring over 90 years at the Australian National University
to the task, and both have ongoing and valued associations with the School.
Both Carlyle and Emerson commented on the essential role of biography in history.
Fenner and Curtis have followed this tradition by inviting former and current staff to
give personal accounts of some aspects of their work in the School. Given the many
forceful personalities who have spent all or much of their working lives in the
School, it is not surprising that the School has had its fair share of controversy. Few
academic institutions of any merit could not say the same. But the John Curtin
School, by virtue of its position in the national capital, lives in the constant spotlight
of media attention and that has tended to further colour its already colourful history.
The publication of this book was made possible by a very generous donation from
Frank Fenner. His generosity of spirit is part of the fabric of our School.
Judith A. Whitworth
June 2001
Addenda/Corrigenda
An online version of the above book - in its current published form
- is provided here in pdf format as a working document.
Information is invited about omissions and/or errors that might occur
in the book - especially in Appendices 1 through 5, which detail dates
of appointment, promotion, resignation, completion or
retirement for academic staff and Visiting Fellows, full names and dates
of graduation of all PhDs, and names of institutions from which Visiting
Fellows came to the School.
Persons who have not been associated with the School can buy a copy
of the book from the ACT
Cooperative bookshop, ANU, Canberra, for $55.
Please send any feedback to the CMHS Internet Coordination.
