Lionel Gilbert

{{Short description|Australian historian}} {{good article}} {{Use Australian English|date=November 2016}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2022}} {{Infobox person | name = Lionel Gilbert | honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=AUS||OAM|size=100}} | image = Lionel Gilbert 1943.jpg | alt = | caption = Gilbert in Burwood, N.S.W. while home on leave from Royal Australian Air Force radar operator's school in July 1943 | birth_name = Lionel Arthur Gilbert | birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1924|12|08}} | death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|2015|01|28|1924|12|08}} | birth_place = Burwood, Sydney | death_place = Armidale, New South Wales | citizenship = | other_names = | known_for = Applied, natural, and local history of Australia and New South Wales | television = | education = Bachelor of Arts in history (1963)<br>PhD in botanical history (1972) | alma_mater = University of New England | employer = | notable works = | occupation = Historian, author, curator, lecturer, biographer | years_active = | spouse = | partner = | children = | parents = | relations = | awards = Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), 1995<br>Centenary Medal, 2001<br>Doctor of Letters (Hon. D. Litt.), University of New England, 2008 | signature = | signature_alt = }}

'''Lionel Arthur Gilbert''' {{post-nominals|country=AUS||OAM}} CF (8 December 1924 – 28 January 2015) was an Australian historian, author, curator, lecturer, and biographer, specializing in applied, natural, and local history. Born in Burwood, New South Wales, he studied at Sydney Teachers College and, beginning in 1946, worked as a teacher and later a headmaster in state schools in various locations around New South Wales until 1961. In 1963 Gilbert graduated from the University of New England with a Bachelor of Arts in History. That same year, he was appointed a lecturer and curator at the Armidale Teachers' College Museum of Education, in which capacity he served until his retirement in 1984, overseeing several expansions of the museum and establishment of a historical research centre.

During his time with the college, Gilbert published a number of articles, papers, and books, many of them focusing on local history of New South Wales, including the state's New England area. He attained a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Botanical History from the University of New England in 1972. After retirement, Gilbert authored several books on Australian natural history, including biographies of three Australian botanists and a history of Sydney's Royal Botanic Gardens. In recognition of his work in education and history, he was selected as a fellow by several historical organizations. In 1995 he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia, a Centenary Medal in 2001, and in 2007 with an honorary Doctor of Letters by the University of New England.

==Early life and career with state schools== Gilbert was born in Burwood, a suburb of Sydney, on 8 December 1924. His primary and secondary education took place at Burwood Primary School, Homebush Boys High School, and Fort Street High School, receiving a leaving certificate from the latter.<ref name="ACE"/><ref name="Hammond"/><ref name="NDL"/> After graduation, Gilbert took temporary employment at Gowings Men's Store in Sydney. In 1942, he received a Teacher's Scholarship to Sydney Teachers College, where he trained for one year to be a school teacher.<ref name="ACE"/><ref name="Hammond"/><ref name="Address"/>

In 1943, Gilbert enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force, joining 570 other Teachers College students who served in the armed forces during World War II, 68 of whom were killed during the conflict. Assigned as a radar operator in Arnhem Land, Gilbert served until 1946.<ref name="ACE"/><ref name="Address"/><ref name="TAE"/>

After his discharge from the military, Gilbert was employed as secondary school teacher at Nabiac Central School from 1946 until 1954. In 1955, he was appointed Deputy Headmaster of Wauchope Primary School, and served in that capacity until 1960. That year, he accepted an appointment as headmaster of Rocky River Primary School near Uralla, New South Wales, a position he held until 1961.<ref name="ACE"/><ref name="NDL"/>

While at Nabiac, Gilbert met Margaret Roberts and the two married in 1949. Their daughter Anne was born in 1960.<ref name="TAE"/>

==Academia and curator career== In 1955, Gilbert enrolled as an external student at the University of New England in the first class of the university's external studies program. In 1961, he was appointed by the university as a Research and Information Officer in the Department of External Studies. In this capacity, Gilbert taught weekend classes on the methodology of local history for the university's adult education department throughout the northwest area of New South Wales. In 1963, he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in History with First Class Honors, submitting his thesis on the history of botanical knowledge of the eastern seaboard of Australia for the years 1788–1815.<ref name="ACE"/><ref name="Hammond"/><ref name="BA"/>

In July 1963, Gilbert accepted an appointment as lecturer in applied history and curator with the Armidale Teachers' College (later College of Advanced Education) Museum of Education. Holding the position for 21 years, he guided expansion of the facility to better present the history of education in Australia. Between 1976 and 1980 he supervised the relocation to the museum of three historic school buildings from Armidale High School and Dumaresq Public School. In addition, Gilbert designed courses in applied and local history for internal and external students of the college, which became the Armidale College of Advanced Education in 1971.<ref name="ACE"/><ref name="Hammond"/><ref name="NDL"/><ref name="Address"/><ref name="Royal"/>

In 1974, Gilbert successfully requested an Innovations Grant from the Schools Commission to establish a Historical Resources Centre at the college. Opened in 1976 with Gilbert as its first director, the centre's goal was to provide education on the history of New England to primary, secondary, tertiary, and postgraduate students, and community groups.<ref name="Elphick"/>

Gilbert recalled in 2008 that between 1975 and 1978, 5,758 primary or secondary pupils toured the museum on field trips. A further 1,653 adults visited during that time to conduct historical or genealogical research at the museum or the Historical Resources Centre.<ref name="Hammond"/><ref name="Address"/> In 1981 the Museums Association of Australia recognised the museum with a certificate of merit for its, "authenticity and detail in building, display and education."<ref name="Elphick"/>

In 1972, Gilbert was named chair of the school's newly formed Department of History.<ref name="Elphick"/> He attained the position of Acting Deputy Principal for the college before retiring in June 1984.<ref name="ACE"/><ref name="NDL"/><ref name="Royal"/>

In 1967, Gilbert assisted the National Trust of Australia and the Australian National University's Department of Adult Education with a series of lectures and exhibits on local history of the New England area. Held in Armidale, the series helped establish a local chapter of the National Trust and the subsequent preservation of several historical colonial buildings in the area.<ref name="Ryan"/>

While at the college, Gilbert pursued post-graduate studies at New England and received a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Botanical History in 1972, with his thesis titled ''Botanical investigation of New South Wales, 1811–1880''.<ref name="ACE"/><ref name="Hammond"/><ref name="PhD"/> Also in 1972, he was awarded a Churchill Fellowship to the U.K. for four weeks to study how museums in the U.K. contributed to general education.<ref name="ACE"/><ref name="Hammond"/>

==Other work== In 1962, Gilbert succeeded Eric Dunlop as Honorary Curator of the Armidale City Council's Folk Museum, serving in the position until 1982. When the museum reached capacity in its original facility, he joined the Armidale town clerk in a successful petition to the Department of Education for New South Wales to relocate the museum into the nearby Hillgrove School. Opened in 1977, the new facility is known as the Museum of Rural Life and Industry.<ref name="ACE"/><ref name="Hammond"/><ref name="Royal"/> Beginning in 1975, he served on the New South Wales State Archives Authority.<ref name="Hammond"/><ref name="Royal"/><ref name="Archives"/>

During his career at the college, Gilbert authored or co-authored a number of papers and books, particularly on Australian biographical, genealogical, and local history. In 1974, Gilbert joined William Patrick Driscoll, Alan Sutherland, and David Rose in publishing ''History Around Us: An Enquiry Approach to Local History'', a book on historical research targeted at younger readers. The book was re-issued in 1984.<ref name="Royal"/> In 1978, Gilbert and co-author Elwyn Sydney Elphick wrote a book titled of ''Forty-three and Seven: A Short Illustrated History of the First Fifty Years of Teacher Education in Armidale : Armidale Teachers' College, 1928–1971 and Armidale College of Advanced Education 1971–1978'' to commemorate the school's 50-year jubilee celebration.<ref name="Elphick"/> In 1980, two books by Gilbert were published: ''A Grave Look at History: Glimpses of a Vanishing Form of Folk Art'' and ''New England from Old Photographs''. The former studied graveyard monuments and was representative of Gilbert's lifelong interest in studying and documenting epitaphs. The latter book focused on local history of New South Wales.<ref name="Royal"/><ref name="Fellows"/><ref name="Lives"/> From 1966, he contributed a series of articles to the ''Australian Dictionary of Biography''.<ref name="ACE"/><ref name="Royal"/>

==Post retirement work, professional associations, and honors== Gilbert continued to write in retirement, often focusing on natural history. In 1985, 1992, and 2001, he respectively authored books on botanists William Woolls, Herman Rupp, and Joseph Maiden.<ref name="ACE"/> In 1986, his book on the history of Sydney's Royal Botanic Gardens was published. Two years after its publication, Gilbert was appointed an Honorary Research Associate of the gardens. He was also a patron of the Australian National Museum of Education and a member of Australia's National Trust.<ref name="Hammond"/><ref name="Royal"/>

Gilbert was named a Fellow of the Society of Australian Genealogists in 1955, an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Australian Historical Society in 1997, and a Fellow of the Federation of Australian Historical Societies in 2007.<ref name="ACE"/><ref name ="RAHS"/> On 12 June 1995 he was recognised with the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), "In recognition of service to the community as a researcher and curator of local history in the New England region."<ref name="DP1"/> On 1 January 2001 he was awarded the Centenary Medal, "For service to the community through education and local history."<ref name="DP2"/> The University of New England presented Gilbert with an honorary Doctor of Letters (Hon. D. Litt.) in 2008.<ref name="Royal"/> Also in 2008, he contributed a historical essay on the Auchinleck-Ross family of New England to the biographical compendium, ''New England Lives III''. Gilbert served as president of the Armidale and District Historical Society and has been honored with Freedom of the City of Armidale.<ref name="NDL"/><ref name="Lives"/>

==Personal life and death== Gilbert and his wife, Margaret, resided in Armidale, New South Wales from 1961.<ref name="Royal"/> He died in Armidale on 28 January 2015 and was survived by his wife, daughter Anne, son-in-law Tony Bennett, and grandson Alexei.<ref name="NDL"/>

==Awards and professional elections== *1955 Fellow, Society of Australian Genealogists *1972 Churchill Fellowship *1988 Honorary Research Associate, Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney *1995 Medal of the Order of Australia<ref>{{cite web |title=Dr Lionel Arthur James GILBERT |url=https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/875059 |website=Australian Honours Search Facility, Dept of the Prime Minister and Cabinet |access-date=2020-10-27}}</ref> *1997 Honorary Fellow, Royal Australian Historical Society *2001 Centenary Medal<ref>{{cite web |title=Dr Lionel Arthur GILBERT |url=https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/1124733 |website=Australian Honours Search Facility, Dept of the Prime Minister and Cabinet |access-date=2020-10-27}}</ref> *2007 Fellow, Federation of Australian Historical Societies *2008 Doctor of Letters, University of New England *Freedom of the City of Armidale, New South Wales *President of the Armidale and District Historical Society

==Selected publications== *{{cite book | last = Elphick | first = Elwyn Sydney |author2=Lionel Arthur Gilbert | title = Forty-three and Seven: A Short Illustrated History of the First Fifty Years of Teacher Education in Armidale : Armidale Teachers' College, 1928–1971 and Armidale College of Advanced Education 1971–1978 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=TsYfNQAACAAJ| year = 1978 | publisher = Armidale College of Advanced Education | location = Armidale, New South Wales | oclc = 220377802 | pages = 85}} *{{cite book | last = Gilbert | first = Lionel Arthur | title = A Grave Look at History: Glimpses of a Vanishing Form of Folk Art | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=KKJnQgAACAAJ| year = 1980 | publisher = John Ferguson | location = Sydney | isbn = 9780909134297 | oclc = 456553652 | pages = 143}} *{{cite book | last = Gilbert | first = Lionel Arthur | title = New England from Old Photographs | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=1Y21GAAACAAJ| year = 1980 | publisher = John Ferguson | location = Sydney | isbn = 9780909134297 | oclc = 8953985 | pages = 144}} *{{cite book | last = Gilbert | first = Lionel Arthur |author2=William Patrick Driscoll |author3=Alan Sutherland |author4=David Rose | title = History Around Us: An Enquiry Approach to Local History | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=mDBOtwAACAAJ | edition = 2nd|year = 1984 | publisher = Methuen Australia | location = North Ryde, New South Wales | isbn = 9780454006766 | oclc = 27489941 | pages = 140}} *{{cite book | last = Gilbert | first = Lionel Arthur | title = William Woolls, 1814-1893: "A Most Useful Colonist" | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=W3OWAAAACAAJ| year = 1985 | publisher = Mulini Press | location = Canberra | isbn = 9780949910158 | oclc = 247984779 | pages = 138}} *{{cite book | last = Gilbert | first = Lionel Arthur | title = The Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney: A History, 1816-1985 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=F8kfAQAAIAAJ| date = 23 June 1986 | publisher = Oxford University Press | location = Melbourne; New York | isbn = 9780195547191 | oclc = 14694184 | pages = 210}} *{{cite book | last = Gilbert | first = Lionel Arthur | title = Mr Smith, Mr Jones and a Time of Bliss | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=MtjyOQAACAAJ&q=mr+smith,+mr+jones+and+a+time+of+bliss| year = 1987 | publisher = Armidale College of Advanced Education | location = Armidale, New South Wales | isbn = 9780959389357 | oclc = 27623153 }} *{{cite book | last = Gilbert | first = Lionel Arthur | title = The Orchid Man: The Life, Work and Memoirs of the Rev. H.M.R. Rupp, 1872-1956 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=hrXQAAAACAAJ&q=bibliogroup:%22The+Orchid+Man:+The+Life,+Work+and+Memoirs+of+the+Rev.+H.M.R.+Rupp,+1872-1956%22| year = 1992 | publisher = Kangaroo Press | location = Kenthurst, New South Wales | isbn = 9780864174154 | oclc = 27240057 | pages = 248}} *{{cite book | last = Gilbert | first = Lionel Arthur | title = The Little Giant: The Life & Work of Joseph Henry Maiden, 1859-1925 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=PY4PAQAAMAAJ| date = 1 March 2001 | publisher = Kardoorair Press in association with Royal Botanic Gardens | location = Sydney | isbn = 9780908244447 | oclc = 54078075 | pages = 429}} *{{cite book | last = Gilbert | first = Lionel Arthur | title = The Last Word: Two Centuries of Australian Epitaphs | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=mY7MAQAACAAJ| year = 2005 | publisher = Kardoorair Press | location = Armidale, New South Wales | isbn = 9780908244645 | oclc = 65526598 | pages = 451}}

==References== thumb|right|Gilbert (far right) with Sydney Teacher's College classmates (left to right) Eric Smith, Ken Edden, and Doug Beard on the day they enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force in June 1943. All four were assigned as radar operators. {{Reflist|2|refs= <ref name="ACE">{{cite web |author=Australian College of Educators |author-link=Australian College of Educators |year=2012 |url=http://austcolled.com.au/article/dr-lionel-gilbert-oam |title=Dr. Lionel Gilbert OAM |publisher=Australian College of Educators |access-date=17 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130314224519/http://austcolled.com.au/article/dr-lionel-gilbert-oam |archive-date=14 March 2013 }}</ref>

<ref name="Archives">{{cite web | author= Archives Outside | date = 28 June 2009 | url = https://archivesoutside.records.nsw.gov.au/regional-repositories-part-1-introducing-the-regional-repository-network/ | title = Regional Repositories Part 1: Introducing the Regional Repository Network | publisher= State Records Authority of New South Wales | access-date = 22 October 2012}}</ref>

<ref name="DP1">{{cite web | author= Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet | author-link= Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (Australia) | year = 2012 | url = https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/875059 | title = It's an Honour: Australia Celebrating Australians; Medal of the Order of Australia | publisher= Commonwealth of Australia | location = Canberra | access-date = 7 January 2013 }}</ref>

<ref name="DP2">{{cite web | author= Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet | author-link= Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (Australia) | year = 2012 | url = https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/1124733 | title = It's an Honour: Australia Celebrating Australians; Centenary Medal | publisher= Commonwealth of Australia | location = Canberra | access-date = 7 January 2013 }}</ref>

<ref name="Elphick">{{cite book | last = Elphick | first = E. S. (Jock) | title = The College on the Hill: A History of Armidale Teachers' College and Armidale College of Advanced Education, 1928–1989 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=1vntAAAAMAAJ&q=the+college+on+the+hill+elphick| year = 1989 | publisher = Armidale College of Advanced Education | location = Armidale, New South Wales | isbn = 1-86304-019-6 | oclc = 27620630 | pages =172, 204, 218, 227, 230}}</ref>

<ref name="BA">{{Cite thesis |type= Bachelor of Arts (BA) |title= Botanical investigation of the eastern seaboard of Australia 1788-1815 : An examination of the means by which botanical knowledge of the seaboard of eastern mainland Australia was gained so rapidly during the first twenty-two years of settlement |url= http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/34563406?q=exact_creator%3A%22Gilbert+Lionel+A+Lionel+Arthur+1924%22&l-format=Thesis&c=book&versionId=42784545 |last= Gilbert |first= Lionel |year= 1962 |publisher= University of New England |access-date= 21 October 2012 }}</ref>

<ref name="PhD">{{Cite thesis |type= Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) thesis |title= Botanical investigation of New South Wales, 1811–1880 |url= http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/34563407?q=exact_creator%3A%22Gilbert+Lionel+A+Lionel+Arthur+1924%22&l-format=Thesis&c=book&versionId=42784546 |last= Gilbert |first= Lionel |year= 1971 |publisher= University of New England |access-date= 21 October 2012 }}</ref>

<ref name="Royal">{{cite book | last = Gilbert | first = Lionel Arthur | title = The Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney: A History, 1816–1985 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=F8kfAQAAIAAJ| date = 23 June 1986 | publisher = Oxford University Press | location = Melbourne; New York | isbn = 9780195547191 | oclc = 14694184 | pages = 210}}</ref>

<ref name="Fellows">{{cite book | last = Gilbert | first = Lionel | editor=Brian Taylor | title = Fellows of the Book: A Volume of Essays Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Biblionews | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=qXHXAAAACAAJ&q=Fellows+of+the+Book:+A+Volume+of+Essays+Commemorating+the+50th+Anniversary+of+Biblionews | chapter = Heavenly Verses, Hallowed Volumes: A Belated Change in Direction|year = 2000 | publisher = Book Collectors' Society of Australia | series = Studies in Australian Bibliophily, no. 5 | location = Sydney | isbn = 9780958676137 | oclc = 44114810 | pages = 103–110}}</ref>

<ref name="Address">{{cite web |author=Gilbert, Lionel |date=25 September 2008 |url=http://www.fotc.org.au/news.html |title=Address by Dr Lionel Gilbert OAM |publisher=Friends of the Old Teachers College |access-date=17 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100912192941/http://www.fotc.org.au/news.html |archive-date=12 September 2010 }}</ref>

<ref name="Hammond">{{cite web | author= Hammond, Robin | year = 2004 | url = https://www.nswera.net.au/biogs/UNE0567b.htm | title = Gilbert, Dr Lionel (1924 – ) | publisher= Australian Science and Technology Heritage Centre | access-date = 17 October 2012 }}</ref>

<ref name="RAHS">{{cite web |author=Royal Australian Historical Society |author-link=Royal Australian Historical Society |year=2009 |url=http://www.rahs.org.au/about-the-rahs/rahs-history/presidents-fellows |title=Presidents and Fellows |publisher=Royal Australian Historical Society |access-date=17 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120625150010/http://www.rahs.org.au/about-the-rahs/rahs-history/presidents-fellows |archive-date=25 June 2012 }}</ref>

<ref name="Ryan">{{Cite thesis |type= Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) thesis |title= A History of Adult Education at and through the New England University College and the University of New England, 1948 to 1980 |url= https://e-publications.une.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/une:7185?exact=creator%3A%22Ryan+JS%22&highlights=false |last= Ryan |first= J. S. |year= 1992 |publisher= University of New England |access-date= 25 October 2012 |archive-date= 4 March 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160304065358/https://e-publications.une.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/une:7185?exact=creator%3A%22Ryan%20JS%22&highlights=false |url-status= dead }}</ref>

<ref name="Lives">{{cite book |editor-last=Ryan |editor-first=J. S. |editor2=Warren Newman | title = New England Lives III | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=a81MPgAACAAJ&q=new+england+lives+III| year = 2008 | publisher = University of New England with the Armidale and District Historical Society | location = Armidale, New South Wales | isbn = 9781921597022 | pages = 19–44, 205}}</ref>

<ref name="NDL">{{cite web | author= Northern Daily Leader | author-link= Northern Daily Leader | date = 14 February 2015 | url = https://www.northerndailyleader.com.au/story/2883077/obituary-dr-lionel-gilbert-oam-1924-2015/ | title = OBITUARY: Dr Lionel Gilbert OAM 1924–2015 | publisher= Fairfax Regional Media | format = Newspaper obituary | access-date = 11 December 2015 }}</ref>

<ref name="TAE">{{cite web | author= Harris, John | date = 11 February 2015 | url = https://www.armidaleexpress.com.au/story/2874005/beloved-author-and-historian-remembered/ | title = Beloved author and historian remembered | publisher= Armidale Express | format = Newspaper obituary | access-date = 11 December 2015 }}</ref> }}

==External links== *{{cite web | author= National Library of Australia | author-link= National Library of Australia | url = http://trove.nla.gov.au/people/476385?q=creator%3A%22Gilbert%2C+Lionel+A.+%28Lionel+Arthur%29%2C+1924-%22&c=people | title = Gilbert, Lionel A. (Lionel Arthur) (1924–) | publisher= National Library of Australia | format = Materials listing | access-date = 21 October 2012 }}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Gilbert, Lionel}} Category:Australian curators Category:Schoolteachers from New South Wales Category:Australian historians Category:Writers from New South Wales Category:University of New England (Australia) alumni Category:Recipients of the Medal of the Order of Australia Category:1924 births Category:2015 deaths Category:Royal Australian Air Force personnel of World War II Category:People educated at Fort Street High School Category:20th-century Australian biographers Category:21st-century Australian non-fiction writers