Howard McKern
Howard Hamlet Gordon McKern (23 March 1917 - 8 June 2009) was an Australian analytical and organic chemist, museum administrator who was Deputy Director of the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences and President of the Royal Society of New South Wales. Early life. McKern was the son of James Gordon McKern (1888–1975) a mining engineer, geologist and petrologist who became a technical executive with the petroleum company Mobil and Edith Mary Hamlet (1890–1967), daughter of William Mogford Hamlet. McKern was born in Mosman, New South Wales and educated at Newington College (1931–1935). In the Leaving Certificate Examination he  was awarded First-Class Honours in Chemistry and Geology. Tertiary education. McKern received a Diploma in Chemistry from the Sydney Technical College in 1942, while studying physiology, microbiology and botany. In 1957 he completed a Master of Science degree, by thesis, at the University of New South Wales. Science career. McKern worked from 1936 until 1945 in analytical and organic chemistry in the Parramatta chemical laboratory of Meggitt Limited, and during that time was promoted to Assistant Chemist. Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences. In July 1945, McKern joined the staff of the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences as  head of the Chemistry Department and was engaged in research on the chemistry of essential oils. He was appointed Deputy Director of the Museum in 1960 and retired in 1977.