Scientific attaché in Moscow. The 1944 appointment of Professor Eric Ashby to the Australian Legation in Soviet Russia

Abstract

Having made a striking impression in the academic world as Professor of Botany at Sydney, Eric Ashby—later Lord Ashby of Brandon, FRS—became a prominent public spokesperson in Australia for progressive, reforming, and internationalist policies in science and education. His stature in the Australian scientific community, including chairing the Australian National Research Committee and helping initiate the Australian Association of Scientific Workers, brought him to the attention of the Commonwealth government, and he undertook important war work especially from 1942. All of these factors help explain his nomination by the government to assume the role of scientific attaché in the Australian legation in Soviet Russia. However, the idiosyncratic approach of Minister of External Affairs H. V. Evatt regarding the management and choice of diplomatic personnel, as well as the accident of indirect professional and personal acquaintance, must be considered for a complete depiction of his appointment and role.