Image Gallery: Museum Curators and Directors

Since 1829, sixteen men have been curator or director of the Australian Museum overseeing its evolution from a one-man operation to an internationally recognized scientific institution.

The title 'Curator' was used until 1917, when the position was retitled as 'Director and Curator', then 'Director' only from 1918. The scientific staff, appointed from the later 1870s, were 'scientific assistants', known by their discipline eg Ornithologist, Conchologist, Zoologist. In 1948, they became known as 'Curators', a term used until 1984 when the positions of 'Collection Manager' were created and scientific staff used titles appropriate to their classification eg 'Research Scientist' (Ichthyologist).
 

William Holmes, Zoologist William Holmes, Zoologist
William Galvin, In Charge William Galvin, In Charge
Dr George Bennett, Secretary and Curator Dr George Bennett, Secretary and Curator
Rev William Branwhite Clarke, Secretary and Curator Rev William Branwhite Clarke, Secretary and Curator
William Sheridan Wall, Curator William Sheridan Wall, Curator
Simon Rood Pittard, Curator and Secretary Simon Rood Pittard, Curator and Secretary
Gerard Krefft, Curator and Secretary Gerard Krefft, Curator and Secretary
Edward Pierson Ramsay, Curator Edward Pierson Ramsay, Curator
Robert Etheridge Junior, Curator and Director Robert Etheridge Junior, Curator and Director
Charles Anderson, Director Charles Anderson, Director
Dr Arthur Bache Walkom, Director Dr Arthur Bache Walkom, Director
Dr John William Evans Dr John William Evans
Dr Frank Hamilton Talbot, Director Dr Frank Hamilton Talbot, Director
Dr Desmond Griffin, Director Dr Desmond Griffin, Director
Dr Mike Archer, Director Dr Mike Archer, Director
Frank Howarth, Director Frank Howarth, Director