Herbert Hedley Scott

Herbert Hedley Scott (1866–1938), museum curator, born in London, migrated to New Zealand for health reasons in 1887 and settled in Launceston in 1889. He was appointed the first full-time curator of the city's Victoria Museum and Art Gallery in 1897. Single-handed, Scott did the research, lectured, prepared exhibits and displays, wrote labels, cleaned and was a frequent contributor of articles on natural history and publicising the Museum to the local press. He took a keen interest in the Launceston Microscopical Club. Due to his zeal and ability, the Museum flourished. His son Eric was appointed assistant curator in 1930. Author of a number of papers, many published by the Royal Society of Tasmania, and recognised as an authority on scientific subjects, Scott was awarded the Royal Society's Medal in 1934.

Further reading: ADB 11; QVMAG guide to H H Scott Records, CHS 7.

Barbara Valentine