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Sir Douglas Mawson
Sir Douglas Mawson

Photographs supplied by Kent Watson

The portrait bust commemorates the Antarctic explorer, Sir Douglas Mawson (1882 - 1958).

In 1905 Mawson was appointed lecturer in mineralogy and petrology in the University of Adelaide. He immediately became interested in the glacial geology of South Australia. Also, continuing his interest in radioactivity, he identified and first described the mineral davidite, containing titanium and uranium, in specimens from the region now known as Radium Hill. That deposit was the first major radioactive ore body discovered in Australia. The major work of his early South Australian period was his investigation of the highly mineralized Precambrian rocks of the Barrier Range, extending from the northern Flinders Ranges through Broken Hill, New South Wales.

In November 1907 (Sir) Ernest Shackleton, leader of the British Antarctic Expedition, visited Adelaide on his way south. Mawson approached him with a view to making the round trip to Antarctica on the Nimrod. His idea was to see an existing continental ice-cap and to become acquainted with glaciation and its geological consequences. Shackleton appointed him physicist for the duration of the expedition and this began his long association with the Antarctic.

Location

Address:North Terrace, Prince Henry Gardens, Adelaide, 5000
State:SA
Area:AUS
GPS Coordinates:Lat: -34.921208
Long: 138.603491
Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate.
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Details

Monument Type:Sculpture
Monument Theme:People
Sub-Theme:Exploration
Artist:John Dowie
Link:http://adbonline.anu.edu.au/adbonli…

Dedication

Actual Monument Dedication Date:Monday 16th August, 1982
Front Inscription

Mawson

Sir Douglas Mawson O.B.E. B.E. D.Sc. F.R.S. F.A.A.
1882 1958

Professor of Geology and Mineralogy

Antarctic scientist and explorer.

Plaque :

Erected by public subscription and unveiled by the Rt. Hon. the Lord Mayor, Dr. John Watson.

16th August, 1982.

Sculptor John Dowie, A.M.

Source: MA,ADB
Monument details supplied by Monument Australia - www.monumentaustralia.org.au