Francis John Raymond Hird | |
|---|---|
| Born | 16 June 1920 |
| Died | 13 November 2014 |
| Alma mater | University of Melbourne |
| Known for | Discovery of triiodothyronine |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Biochemistry |
| Patrons | Victor Trikojus |
Francis John Raymond Hird, better known as Frank Hird or, in print, F. J. R. Hird, was an Australian biochemist. He was the third head of the School of Biochemistry at the University of Melbourne (1968–1974).
Frank Hird was born in 1920 and left school at the age of 14. He completed his secondary education through night school in 1941. Hird earned his Bachelor's degree in Agricultural Science with honours in 1944, and his Master's in the same field in 1947. In 1953 he received a Fulbright Scholarship. In 1962, Hird was awarded a D.Sc. at Melbourne University where he became Senior Lecturer in Agricultural Biochemistry. In 1964, Hird was appointed Professor of Biochemistry, and head of department in 1968. He retired in 1985.[1]
Hird's impact in biochemistry education is far-reaching, as he "helped train generations of biochemists"[2] while at the Russell Grimwade School of Biochemistry at the University of Melbourne. Regarding giving a presentation in the presence of Hird, former student John F. Williams recalled: "If you made a mistake then heaven help you, he was a very tough character to talk to, but an extremely able and interesting biochemist."[3]
References
- ↑ "University of Melbourne Library". University of Melbourne Library. 2017-02-22. Retrieved 2023-11-09.
- ↑ O'Hara, Delia (2019-05-31). "Elizabeth Blackburn Wants the World to Work Together on Basic Science". American Association for the Advancement of Science. Retrieved 2023-11-09.
- ↑ Lew, Rebecca (August 2005). "History of the Australian Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology". Australian Biochemist. 36 (2): 8.