David P. Craig

{{Short description|Australian chemist (1919–2015)}} {{other people|David Craig}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2016}} {{Use Australian English|date=September 2016}} {{Infobox scientist | name = David Craig | image = David_P._Craig.gif | birth_name = David Parker Craig | honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=AUS|size=100|AO|FRS|FAA|FRSN}} | birth_date = {{birth date |1919|12|23|df=y}} | birth_place = Sydney, New South Wales | death_date = {{Death date and age|df=y|2015|07|01|1919|12|23}} | death_place = Canberra, Australian Capital Territory | workplaces = University of Sydney<br/>University College London<br/>Australian National University | alma_mater = University of Sydney<br/>University College London | thesis_title = Energy levels in conjugated and aromatic molecules | thesis_year = 1949 | doctoral_advisor = | doctoral_students = | known_for = | spouse = Veronica (Ronia) Bryden-Brown | children = 4 }} '''David Parker Craig''' (23 December 1919 – 1 July 2015), an Australian chemist, was the Foundation Professor of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry and later emeritus Professor in the Research School of Chemistry at the Australian National University in Canberra.<ref name="sparc">{{cite encyclopedia|url=https://www.eoas.info/biogs/P000333b.htm |title=Craig, David Parker (1919 - 2015) |encyclopedia= Encyclopedia of Australian Science }}</ref><ref name="death">{{cite web |url=http://tributes.canberratimes.com.au/obituaries/canberratimes-au/obituary.aspx?n=david-parker-craig&pid=175211697& |title=David Parker Craig Obituary |date=4 July 2015 |work=The Canberra Times |access-date=3 July 2015 |archive-date=21 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171021183013/http://tributes.canberratimes.com.au/obituaries/canberratimes-au/obituary.aspx?n=david-parker-craig&pid=175211697& |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Born in Sydney, Craig was educated at the University of Sydney, receiving a Bachelor of Science with Honours in 1940 and a Master of Science in 1941. He was awarded a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of London in 1949. He was a captain in the Second Australian Imperial Force from 1942 to 1944. Craig was a lecturer in physical chemistry, at the University of Sydney from 1944 to 1946, a Turner and Newall Research Fellow and Lecturer at University College, London from 1946 to 1952, Professor in physical chemistry at the University of Sydney from 1952 to 1956 and Professor in theoretical chemistry at University College, London from 1956 to 1967.<ref name="sparc"/>

He was a Fellow of the Royal Society,<ref name=rsbm>{{cite journal|last1=Hush|first1=Noel S.|authorlink1=Noel Hush|last2=Radom|first2=Leo|authorlink2=Leo Radom|title=David Parker Craig AO FAA. 23 December 1919 — 1 July 2015|journal=Biographical Memoirs of Fellows of the Royal Society|volume=64|pages=107–129|year=2017|issn=0080-4606|doi=10.1098/rsbm.2017.0017|doi-access=free}}</ref> the Royal Society of New South Wales,<ref>{{cite web |title=Fellows of RSNSW |url=http://royalsoc.org.au/society/fellows.htm |publisher=RSNSW |accessdate=25 June 2012 |archive-date=20 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320074313/http://royalsoc.org.au/society/fellows.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> the Australian Academy of Science, a former President of AAS, and a Member of the International Academy of Quantum Molecular Science. In 1985 he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) "in recognition of service to the community, particularly in the field of physical chemistry",<ref name=AO>[https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/886056 Officer of the Order of Australia (AO)], 10 June 1985, It's an Honour</ref> and was a recipient of the Centenary Medal "for service to Australian society and science in theoretical chemistry".<ref name=CM>[https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/1127075 Centenary Medal], 1 January 2001, It's an Honour</ref>

==Family== David Craig married Veronica (Ronia) Bryden-Brown on 25 August 1948, in Caversham, England. Ronia was the daughter of Cyril Bryden-Brown and Kathleen (née Parkinson), who was born in Cooma, New South Wales. David and Ronia had four children.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}

Aged 95, Craig died on 1 July 2015 at Calvary Hospital, Canberra.<ref name="death"/>

==See also== * Craig plot

== References == {{Reflist|35em}}

== External links == *[https://web.archive.org/web/20130106115019/http://www.science.org.au/scientists/interviews/c/dc.html An interview with Professor David Craig] *[https://www.iaqms.org/members/craig.php His International Academy of Quantum Molecular Science page]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Craig, David P.}} Category:1919 births Category:2015 deaths Category:Alumni of University College London Category:Australian Army officers Category:Chemists from Sydney Category:Australian Army personnel of World War II Category:Academic staff of the Australian National University Category:Fellows of the Australian Academy of Science Category:Fellows of the Royal Society of New South Wales Category:Members of the International Academy of Quantum Molecular Science Category:Officers of the Order of Australia Category:University of Sydney alumni Category:Computational chemists Category:Presidents of the Australian Academy of Science Category:Australian fellows of the Royal Society