Dr Susan Serjeantson ‘John Gould’s shooter: the unsung hero, John Gilbert’

Sue, Chair of the Friends’ Thursday Talks committee,will celebrate the contribution of John Gould’s collector in Australia, John Gilbert.

Dr Sue Serjeantson AO was Professor in Human Genetics at the John Curtin School of Medical Research before serving as ANU Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) and Director of the Institute of Advanced Studies from 1994-1997. She was Executive Director of the Australian Academy of Science until 2008.

John Gilbert, assistant to John Gould, explored many areas of Australia from the time of his arrival in Van Dieman’s Land in 1838 until his death by Aboriginal spear in Queensland in June 1845. Gilbert discovered more birds of Australia than anyone else, before or since, and collected and named many mammals, land-shells and plants. A skilled taxidermist, his specimens and descriptions were shipped to Gould for publication. This talk seeks to acknowledge the contributions of John Gould’s shooter.