David P. Craig


David Parker Craig was an Australian chemist who was Emeritus Professor at the Australian National University in Canberra, where he was the Foundation Professor of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry in the Research School of Chemistry.
Born in Sydney, Craig was educated at the University of Sydney, receiving a Bachelor of Science with Honours in 1940 and a Master of Science in 1941. He was awarded a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of London in 1949. He was a captain in the Second Australian Imperial Force from 1942 to 1944. Craig was a Lecturer in physical chemistry, at the University of Sydney from 1944 to 1946, a Turner and Newall Research Fellow and Lecturer at University College, London from 1946 to 1952, Professor in physical chemistry at the University of Sydney from 1952 to 1956 and Professor in theoretical chemistry at University College, London from 1956 to 1967.
He was a Fellow of the Royal Society, the Royal Society of New South Wales, the Australian Academy of Science, a former President of AAS, and a Member of the International Academy of Quantum Molecular Science. In 1985 he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia "in recognition of service to the community, particularly in the field of physical chemistry", and was a recipient of the Centenary Medal "for service to Australian society and science in theoretical chemistry".
Aged 95, Craig died on 1 July 2015 at Calvary Hospital in Canberra.