Agent TypePersonActivities & OccupationsCompany directorsHistoryHenry Somerset was born 21 May 1906 at Mount Morgan where his father, Harry StJohn Somerset, was chief metallugrgist. He was educated at Port Pirie and the Collegiate School of St Peter, Adelaide, where he was dux of the school. At Trinity College, Melbourne, he graduated BSc 1927 and MSc 1928. Harry joined APPM in Jan 1937 as technical assistant to the general super- intendent, ultimately becoming managing director from which post he retired in 1969. He was appointed to the board in 1944. Harry developed wide business interests and served on a number of boards including Goliath Cement Holdings Ltd. He was Chancellor of the University of Tasmania 1964-1972 where he under- took changes that resolved many of the difficulties the University had faced in the 1950s. His personal interests included philately, chonchology, and ornithology and he acquired considerable knowledge of whales. He was a long- member of the Field Naturalists' Society. Somerset was a contradictory person. His interest in staff matters saw many improvements in workers' conditions but as a "conservationist" he saw little wrong with collecting birds eggs and animal specimens. But his deep knowledge brought him appointement as a trustee of the National Museum of Victoria. Harry Sommerset was awarded CBE in 1961 and created a Knight Bachelor 1966. He died 15 Sep 1995.Search records of this agent
