Philip Baxter

Sir John Philip Baxter, KBE (7 May 1905 – 5 September 1989), better known as Philip Baxter, was a British chemical engineer. He was the second director of the University of New South Wales from 1953, continuing as vice-chancellor when this position's title was changed in 1955. Under his administration, the University grew from its technical college roots into the 'fastest growing and most rapidly diversifying tertiary institution in Australia'.[1] Philip Baxter College is named in his honour.

Baxter was born in Wales, but grew up in England, attending the University of London at 16. He joined Imperial Chemical Industries as a chemical engineer, and later provided James Chadwick with samples of uranium hexafluoride for nuclear research.[2] He was recruited to the then-New South Wales University of Technology as a professor of chemical engineering, arriving in Sydney on board the Orcades in January 1950.[3]

Preceded by
Arthur Denning		 Vice Chancellor of UNSW
1953 – 1969		 Succeeded by
Sir Rupert Myers

References

  1. ^ "The Vice-Chancellors of the University of New South Wales Exhibition". UNSW Records & Archives Office. http://www.recordkeeping.unsw.edu.au/historicalresources/onlineexhibitions/vice-chancellor.html#baxter. Retrieved 2011-06-28. 
  2. ^ "Baxter, Sir John Philip (1905 - 1989)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. http://adbonline.anu.edu.au/biogs/A170072b.htm. Retrieved 31 August 2010. 
  3. ^ Angyal, S.J.. "Sir Philip Baxter 1905-1989". Records of the Australian Academy of Science. Australian Academy of Science. http://www.science.org.au/fellows/memoirs/baxter.html. Retrieved 31 August 2010. 
Vice-Chancellors of the University of New South Wales
Arthur Denning • Sir Philip Baxter • Sir Rupert Myers • Michael Birt • John Niland • Wyatt Hume • Mark Wainwright • Fred Hilmer