Albert Pugsley
Encyclopedia
Albert Tonkin Pugsley AM
(11 March 1910 - 6 November 2002) was an Australia
n agricultural scientist
and wheat breeder
.
Pugsley was born in Mildura, Victoria
and educated at Scotch College
, the University of Melbourne
, where he earned a Bachelor of Agricultural Science degree (1931), and the University of Adelaide
where he was awarded a Doctor of Science degree in 1954 for his research on disease resistance in plants. He was a plant pathologist at the Victorian Department of Agriculture (1931–1939) and plant geneticist
at the University of Adelaide's Waite Agricultural Institute, South Australia
(1939–1953).
In 1953, Pugsley was appointed founding Director of the Agricultural Research Institute in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales
, serving in that role until 1975.
Pugsley was awarded the William Farrer Medal in 1953 for his services to Agriculture, and made a Member of the Order of Australia
in 1981. From 1978-1986 he served as an honorary Senior Associate in Plant Sciences at the University of Melbourne
, and was a granted an honorary Doctorate of Agricultural Science by the university in 1981.
The wheat variety "Pugsley" was named in his honour.
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
(11 March 1910 - 6 November 2002) was an Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n agricultural scientist
Agricultural science
Agricultural science is a broad multidisciplinary field that encompasses the parts of exact, natural, economic and social sciences that are used in the practice and understanding of agriculture. -Agriculture and agricultural science:The two terms are often confused...
and wheat breeder
Physiological and molecular wheat breeding
Plant breeding is the process of improving the heredity of plants for benefit of humankind. In evolutionary concept, plant breeding is merely a continuation of the natural evolution of the crop species, changing its course of direction in the benefit of greater use to humanity.This also be defined...
.
Pugsley was born in Mildura, Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
and educated at Scotch College
Scotch College, Melbourne
Scotch College, Melbourne is an independent, Presbyterian, day and boarding school for boys, located in Hawthorn, an inner-eastern suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia....
, the University of Melbourne
University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne is a public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. Founded in 1853, it is the second oldest university in Australia and the oldest in Victoria...
, where he earned a Bachelor of Agricultural Science degree (1931), and the University of Adelaide
University of Adelaide
The University of Adelaide is a public university located in Adelaide, South Australia. Established in 1874, it is the third oldest university in Australia...
where he was awarded a Doctor of Science degree in 1954 for his research on disease resistance in plants. He was a plant pathologist at the Victorian Department of Agriculture (1931–1939) and plant geneticist
Plant geneticist
A plant geneticist is a scientist involved with the study of genetics in botany. Typical work is done with genes in order to isolate and then develop certain plant traits...
at the University of Adelaide's Waite Agricultural Institute, South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
(1939–1953).
In 1953, Pugsley was appointed founding Director of the Agricultural Research Institute in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, serving in that role until 1975.
Pugsley was awarded the William Farrer Medal in 1953 for his services to Agriculture, and made a Member of the Order of Australia
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
in 1981. From 1978-1986 he served as an honorary Senior Associate in Plant Sciences at the University of Melbourne
University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne is a public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. Founded in 1853, it is the second oldest university in Australia and the oldest in Victoria...
, and was a granted an honorary Doctorate of Agricultural Science by the university in 1981.
The wheat variety "Pugsley" was named in his honour.