George Harker (scientist)


George Percy Harker was an Australian scientist and inventor. He spent his professional career alternating between teaching and chemical research. Harker published over a dozen research articles in the field of chemistry and was a Fellow of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute. He was the inventor of a patented system of extinguishing fires at sea and fumigation.

Early life

Harker was born in Fitzroy, Victoria, to John Harker, a manufacturer, and his wife Priscilla Matilda. He was the younger brother of Constance Harker and the grandson of The Hon. George Harker. He was educated in Melbourne until the family moved to Petersham, New South Wales, where he attended Newington College. In 1895, Harker won the Wigram Allen Scholarship, awarded by Sir George Wigram Allen, for classics, and at the end of the year was named Dux of the College and received the Schofield Scholarship. He went up to the University of Sydney and in 1899 graduated as a Bachelor of Science.

Career

Whilst still studying, Harker was appointed as a demonstrator in chemistry at the University of Sydney and in 1901 he became a science teacher at Hawkesbury Agricultural College. He was then awarded an 1851 Research Fellowship for study in England and in 1903 received a Doctor of Science from University College, London. On his return to Sydney he became a research chemist at Colonial Sugar Refining Company. In 1914, Harker returned to Sydney University as a lecturer in organic chemistry and remained there until 1927. After working as an analytical and consulting chemist in Melbourne for two years he became a research officer with the Cancer Research Committee at the University of Sydney in 1929. In his final years before retirement, Harker returned to teaching science as a master at Trinity Grammar School.

Publications