Organic Chemist, the late Arthur John Birch born in 1915 was Professor of Organic Chemistry, Australian National University, from 1967. Earlier he was at Oxford University, Cambridge University, the University of Sydney, and Manchester University, England. He was also the President, Australian Academy of Science 1982-86. Birch's outstanding research formed the foundation for the manufacture of antibiotic drugs and the first oral contraceptive pill.
