# Frank Talbot

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{{Short description|Australian marine biologist (1930–2024)}}
{{use dmy dates|date=November 2024}} 
{{use Australian English|date=November 2024}}
{{For |the Australian theatre manager|Frank Talbot (theatre)}}
'''Frank Hamilton Talbot''', {{post-nominals|country=AUS|AM}} (3 January 1930 – 15 October 2024) was a South-African-born Australian [ichthyologist](/source/ichthyologist) and [marine biologist](/source/marine_biologist). He was former director of the [Australian Museum](/source/Australian_Museum) and the only Australian to have become director of the [Smithsonian Natural History Museum](/source/Smithsonian_Natural_History_Museum). His research and his work at the institutions he led have had a lasting impact on science, academia, and public education, and the [Lizard Island Research Station](/source/Lizard_Island_Research_Station), founded by him in 1973, continues his work. He has had two species of fish named after him, and the Australian Museum holds the annual [Talbot Oration](/source/Talbot_Oration) in his honour.

==Early life and education==
Frank Hamilton Talbot was born in [Pietermaritzburg](/source/Pietermaritzburg), South Africa on 3 January 1930.<ref name=encyc>{{cite web  |title=Talbot, Frank Hamilton (1930-)| website=[Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation](/source/Encyclopedia_of_Australian_Science_and_Innovation) |publisher=[Swinburne University of Technology](/source/Swinburne_University_of_Technology), Centre for Transformative Innovation |date=20 June 2022 |url=https://www.eoas.info/biogs/P007015b.htm |access-date=10 November 2024| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241110045202/https://www.eoas.info/biogs/P007015b.htm| archive-date=10 Nov 2024| url-status=live}}<!---consulted this source before updated with death date---></ref>

He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree at [Witwatersrand University](/source/Witwatersrand_University) in [Johannesburg](/source/Johannesburg) in 1949, followed by an MSc at the [University of Cape Town](/source/University_of_Cape_Town) (UCT) in 1951.<ref name=encyc/> In 1959 he earned a PhD at UCT.<ref name=encyc/><ref name=smhobit/>

==Career==
In 1952 he was appointed a demonstrator at [Kings College](/source/Kings_College%2C_University_of_Durham) at the [University of Durham](/source/University_of_Durham) in the UK, before moving to [Zanzibar](/source/Zanzibar) in 1954 to take up a position with the [British Colonial Service](/source/British_Colonial_Service) as a fisheries scientist.<ref name=encyc/>

From 1959 (when he earned his PhD) until 1962 he worked as a marine Biologist at the [South African Museum](/source/South_African_Museum) in [Cape Town](/source/Cape_Town), before being promoted to the position of assistant director of the museum.<ref name=encyc/>

In 1964 he moved with his family to Australia, taking up the position of Curator of Fishes at the [Australian Museum](/source/Australian_Museum) in [Sydney](/source/Sydney). In 1965, he was appointed director of the museum, a position he held for 10 years<ref name=encyc/> from 1966,<ref name=amobit/> following the retirement of [Gilbert Whitley](/source/Gilbert_Whitley).<ref>{{cite journal| url=https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-721116753/view?sectionId=nla.obj-726168535&partId=nla.obj-721140324#page/n10/mode/1up| title= Mr. Gilbert Whitley retires from museum  |journal =Fisheries Newsletter |publisher=  Fisheries Branch, [Department of Primary Industry](/source/Department_of_Primary_Industry_(1956%E2%80%931974)) (Commonwealth Government)| volume= 23 |issue = 9 |date=September 1964|place= Canberra  }}</ref> Under his leadership, the museum became a world leader in [biodiversity](/source/biodiversity), natural history, and conservation education. Under his guidance first the [One Tree Island Research Station](/source/One_Tree_Island_Research_Station) at the southern end of the [Great Barrier Reef](/source/Great_Barrier_Reef), and then the [Lizard Island Research Station](/source/Lizard_Island_Research_Station) at the northern end, were established<ref name=smhobit>{{cite web |title=Professor Frank Talbot marine biologist obituary |website=[The Sydney Morning Herald](/source/The_Sydney_Morning_Herald) |date=17 October 2024 |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/marine-biologist-raised-alarm-bells-over-climate-impact-on-coral-reefs-20241017-p5kj1z.html |access-date=10 November 2024}}</ref> (around 1965<ref>{{cite web |title=One Tree Island |website=The University of Sydney |date=21 June 2023 |url=https://www.sydney.edu.au/science/our-research/research-facilities/one-tree-island.html |access-date=11 November 2024}}</ref> and in 1973 respectively<ref name=amobit/>). 

In 1968 he created a new Department of Environmental Studies at the museum. In the same year, he helped to establish the National Photographic Index of Birds project.<ref name=amhist>{{cite web |title=Dr Frank Hamilton Talbot, Director 1966-1975 |website=The Australian Museum |date=30 May 2022 |url=https://australian.museum/about/history/people/dr-frank-hamilton-talbot-director-1966-1975/ |access-date=10 November 2024}}</ref> In 1972, he founded The Australian Museum Society (TAMS), which continues as the Australian Museum Members program, for members of the general public to learn more and be involved in the museum's activities.<ref name=smhobit/><ref name=amobit/> He recruited top scientists, and, thanks to greater government funding, the staff doubled in number to 150.<ref name=amhist/>

After resigning from the museum in June 1975,<ref name=amhist/> Talbot became the foundation professor of environmental studies at [Macquarie University](/source/Macquarie_University) in [Sydney](/source/Sydney).<ref name=encyc/> 

In 1982 he moved countries again, taking up the position of director of the [California Academy of Sciences](/source/California_Academy_of_Sciences) in [San Francisco](/source/San_Francisco), United States, where he stayed until 1989, when he was appointed director of the [National Museum of Natural History](/source/Smithsonian_Natural_History_Museum) at the [Smithsonian Institution](/source/Smithsonian_Institution) in [Washington, D.C.](/source/Washington%2C_D.C.)<ref name=encyc/><ref name=amobit/> (the first and as of 2024 only Australian to do so<ref name=smhobit/><ref name=amobit/>). Upon completing his term in 1994, he was appointed [emeritus](/source/emeritus) director of the museum.<ref name=encyc/>

In 1995, Talbot was appointed [adjunct professor](/source/adjunct_professor) at the Graduate School of the Environment, Macquarie University.<ref name=encyc/>

He played a key role in the establishment of the [Sydney Institute of Marine Science](/source/Sydney_Institute_of_Marine_Science) (SIMS),<ref name=simsobit/> a partnership among four Sydney universities, in 2005,<ref name=about>{{cite web |title=About |website=SIMS - Sydney Institute of Marine Science |date=14 January 2019 |url=https://sims.org.au/about/ |access-date=13 November 2024| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241003011157/https://sims.org.au/about/| archive-date= 3 Oct 2024| url-status=live}}</ref> and in February 2006 was appointed founding chair. He worked full-time in this position until his retirement on 31 December 2009, just before his 80th birthday, but continued as a board member.<ref name=simsobit>{{cite web |last=Banchik |first=Aliah |title=Remembering Vale Professor Frank Talbot AM SIMS |website=SIMS - Sydney Institute of Marine Science |date=21 October 2024 |url=https://sims.org.au/remembering-professor-frank-talbot/ |access-date=13 November 2024}}</ref>

==Research==
Talbot's research was world-renowned. He was a pioneer in the research in coral reef [ecosystem](/source/ecosystem)s, adding greatly to global understanding, including the urgent need for its protection and conservation. His groundbreaking research on coral reefs in the [Red Sea](/source/Red_Sea) and across the [Indo-Pacific](/source/Indo-Pacific) brought worldwide attention to these environments, in a time before there was widespread awareness of [climate change](/source/climate_change) and [marine conservation](/source/marine_conservation).<ref name=smhobit/>

In 1970 he was involved in a significant [environmental survey](/source/Environmental_surveying) of [Lord Howe Island](/source/Lord_Howe_Island), which included scientists from the Australian Museum, the [Royal Botanic Gardens](/source/Royal_Botanic_Garden%2C_Sydney), the [National Parks and Wildlife Service](/source/National_Parks_and_Wildlife_Service_(New_South_Wales)), and the [CSIRO](/source/CSIRO).<ref name=amhist/>

In 1971 he joined  [NASA](/source/NASA)'s [Tektite II](/source/Tektite_II) program, in which a group of "[Aquanauts](/source/Aquanaut)" lived in an underwater capsule on the [seabed](/source/seabed) of the [Virgin Islands](/source/Virgin_Islands) for over two weeks. The scientists researched fish activity and monitored the effects of living in the confined space.<ref name=amhist/>

==Personal life and death==
Talbot was married for 70 years to Sue Talbot (died 2020), a marine scientist. They were survived by their daughter and three sons.<ref name=smhobit/><ref name=amobit/>

Frank Talbot died on 15 October 2024, at the age of 94.<ref name=amobit>{{cite web |title=Vale Professor Frank Talbot AM |website=The Australian Museum |date=16 October 2024 |url=https://australian.museum/blog/at-the-museum/vale-frank-talbot/ |access-date=11 November 2024}}</ref> Many scientists paid tribute to his friendship and achievements, including science journalist and president emeritus of the Australian Museum Trustees [Robyn Williams](/source/Robyn_Williams); scientist [Tim Flannery](/source/Tim_Flannery); Des Griffin, who succeeded Talbot as director of the museum; and Australian Museum chief scientist and director of AMRI, [Kris Helgen](/source/Kris_Helgen).<ref name=smhobit/><ref name=amobit/>

The Australian Museum wrote on their website: "Professor Talbot was a visionary whose contributions to both academia and public education have left an enduring legacy." The current director of the museum wrote: "Frank was a legend in the international museum and science world and has provided inspiration and a model for how museums can play a vital role dealing with issues like climate change and ocean warming". President of the museum trust, [Brian Hartzer](/source/Brian_Hartzer), wrote that his legacy would "live on through the countless lives he touched, the ecosystems he worked to preserve, and the institutions he helped transform".<ref name=amobit/>

==Legacy==
The Australian Museum holds the [Talbot Oration](/source/Talbot_Oration) each year, so named to honour his legacy.<ref name=amobit/> The inaugural oration was given in June 2021 by [Tim Flannery](/source/Tim_Flannery), whose address was titled "The Climate Cure".<ref>{{cite web |title=The Climate Cure: The inaugural Talbot Oration |website=The Australian Museum |date=20 July 2021 |url=https://australian.museum/blog/at-the-museum/talbot-oration-2021/ |access-date=16 November 2024}}</ref>

At least four species of fish were named in honour of Talbot: 
*''[Stanulus talboti](/source/Stanulus_talboti)'' (Talbot's blenny), named in 1968<ref>{{cite web | url = https://etyfish.org/blenniiformes2/ | title = Order BLENNIIFORMES: Family BLENNIIDAE | work = The ETYFish Project: Fish Name Etymology Database  |access-date=10 November 2024 | date =  29 Sep 2024 |first= Christopher |last=Scharpf|edition =v. 13.0}}</ref>
* ''[Chrysiptera talboti](/source/Chrysiptera_talboti)'' (Talbot's Damsel)<ref>{{cite web |title=Chrysiptera talboti |author= Bray, D.J. |date= 2023| website= Fishes of Australia |url=https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/343#moreinfo |access-date=10 November 2024}}</ref>
* ''[Dermatopsoides talboti](/source/Dermatopsoides_talboti)'' <small>Cohen 1966</small><ref name = ETYFish1>{{cite web | url = http://www.etyfish.org/ophidiiformes2/ | title = Order OPHIDIIFORMES: Families BYTHITIDAE and DINEMATICHTHYIDAE | access-date= 6 February 2025 | author1 = Christopher Scharpf | author2 = Kenneth J. Lazara | name-list-style = amp | work = The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database | publisher = Christopher Scharpf and Kenneth J. Lazara | date = 22 September 2018}}</ref>

* ''[Apogon talboti](/source/Apogon_talboti)'' <small>Smith 1961</small><ref name = ETYFish2>{{cite web | url = http://www.etyfish.org/kurtiformes/ | title = Order KURTIFORMES (Nurseryfishes and Cardinalfishes) | access-date= 6 February 2025 | author1 = Christopher Scharpf | author2 = Kenneth J. Lazara | name-list-style = amp | work = The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database | publisher = Christopher Scharpf and Kenneth J. Lazara | date = 22 September 2018}}</ref>

==Recognition and awards==
* 1972: Elected Fellow of the [Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales](/source/Royal_Zoological_Society_of_New_South_Wales)<ref name=encyc/>
* 1985: Fellow, California Academy of Sciences<ref name=encyc/>
* 1988: Fellow, [International Association of Biological Oceanographers](/source/International_Association_for_Biological_Oceanography)<!---assume it is this? https://iabo.org/---><ref name=encyc/>
* 2005: Honorary Life Member, [Australian Marine Sciences Association](/source/Australian_Marine_Sciences_Association) (AMSA)<ref name=encyc/>
* 2012: [Member of the Order of Australia](/source/Member_of_the_Order_of_Australia) (AM), for service to environmental protection through the Sydney Institute of Marine Science, to coral reef research, to museum development and management, and to international scientific organisations<ref name=encyc/>
* 2016: Lifetime Achievement Award, [Australian Museum Research Institute](/source/Australian_Museum_Research_Institute)<ref name=encyc/><ref>{{cite web |title=Reef researcher Frank Talbot |website=Council of Australasian Museum Directors |date=10 July 2016 |url=https://camd.org.au/reef-researcher-frank-talbot/ |access-date=10 November 2024}}</ref>

==Other activities==
Talbot also held various positions on boards and committees, including:<ref name=encyc/>
* 1968-1969: Chair, New South Wales Scientific Committee on Parks and Wildlife
* 1968-1974: Member, [NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service](/source/NSW_National_Parks_%26_Wildlife_Service) Advisory Committee
* 1969-1980: Member, [Taronga Zoo](/source/Taronga_Zoo) board
* 1971-1972: President, AMSA
* 1972-1979: Member, Sydney Metropolitan Water Sewerage and Drainage Board
* 1973-1974: President, [Museums Association of Australia](/source/Museums_Association_of_Australia)
* 1975-2005: Member, AMSA
* 1976-1978: Member of Council, [Great Barrier Reef Committee](/source/Great_Barrier_Reef_Committee)
* 1976-1980: Chair, Coral Reef Committee, International Association of Biological Oceanographers
* 1980-1982: Chair, Taronga Zoo board
* 1996-2004: Trustee, [World Wildlife Fund (Australia)](/source/World_Wide_Fund_for_Nature)
* 2006-2009: Founding chair, Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS)<ref name=smhobit/><ref name=simsobit/>

==Publications==
Talbot co-authored and co-edited several books, including:<ref name=trove>{{cite web |title=Talbot, F. H. (Frank Hamilton) (1930-) |website=[Trove](/source/Trove) |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/people/626992 |access-date=10 November 2024}}</ref>
*''Characteristics of marine fish communities of the Great Barrier Reef region, and its implications for management'' (1979)<ref>{{Citation | author1=Talbot, F. H. (Frank Hamilton) | author2=Anderson, G. R. V | title=Characteristics of marine fish communities of the Great Barrier Reef region, and its implications for management | publication-date=1979 | publisher=Australian Museum | url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/24018677 | access-date=10 November 2024}}</ref>
* ''Fishes of Tasmania'' (1983)<ref>{{Citation | title=Fishes of Tasmania / P.R. Last, E.O.G. Scott, F.H. Talbot | author1=Last, Peter R. (Peter Robert) | author2=Scott, E. O. G. (Eric Oswald Gale) | author3=Talbot, F. H. (Frank Hamilton) | author4=Tasmanian Fisheries Development Authority | year=1983 | publisher=Tasmanian Fisheries Development Authority | isbn=0724611436 | language=English | url=https://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn880841 | access-date=10 November 2024 | via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
*''Coral reefs, mangroves and seagrasses : a sourcebook for managers'' (2000)<ref>{{Citation | author1=Talbot, F. H. (Frank Hamilton) | author2=Wilkinson, Clive R | author3=Australian Institute of Marine Science | title=Coral reefs, mangroves and seagrasses : a sourcebook for managers | publication-date=2000 | publisher=Australian Institute of Marine Science | isbn=978-0-642-32208-1}}</ref>

==Taxon described by him==
*See [:Category:Taxa named by Frank Hamilton Talbot](/source/%3ACategory%3ATaxa_named_by_Frank_Hamilton_Talbot)

==References== 
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Talbot, Frank Hamilton}}
Category:1930 births
Category:2024 deaths
Category:Australian curators
Category:Australian marine biologists
Category:Australian ichthyologists
Category:South African emigrants to Australia
Category:People from Pietermaritzburg

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Frank Talbot](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Talbot) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Talbot?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.