Robert James Diamond
| Robert James Diamond | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 24 October 1916 Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia |
| 5 April 2002 (aged 85)5 April 2002 (aged 85) | |
| Other names | Jim Diamond |
| 🏫 Education | University of Queensland (BSc) Caltech (PhD) |
| 💼 Occupation |
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| 👔 Employer | |
| Notable work |
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| 👩 Spouse(s) | Dorothy May Kerns (m. 1949) |
Robert James Diamond (24 October 1916 - 5 April 2002) was an Australian mathematician, physicist and teacher.
He is best known for his work in the academic field.
Early life[edit]
Family[edit]
Diamond was born in Rockhampton, Queensland to parents Henry Diamond and Amelia Jane Diamond (née Comollatti).[1] He was the second youngest of four children.[1]
Diamond's mother Amelia was a member of a large Italian Australian family, whose patriarch Antonio Comollatti had settled in Duaringa in Central Queensland after first arriving in Australia from Italy in 1862.[1][2] After marrying Ann Reed in Rockhampton in 1876, Antonio became a naturalised Australian citizen in November 1893.[1] Amelia was one of Antonio and Ann Comollatti's ten children, being one of only two daughters.[1]
Amelia married Henry Diamond in 1911 and after initially living in Duaringa, moved to Rockhampton where they raised Diamond and his three brothers - Henry Vincent (Harry), Stuart Gibson (Stu) and Ronald Fitzroy (Ron).[1]
When Diamond was 8 years old, his father Henry died in July 1925.[3]
Diamond suffered personal tragedy again in 1932 when his eldest brother Harry Diamond, a promising rugby league player, died at the age of 21 in August 1932 after an illness.[4] His death occurred less than six months following the death in March 1932 of their maternal grandmother Ann Comollatti (née Reed).[5]
Education[edit]
While growing up in Rockhampton, Diamond attended Central Boys State School until 1929 when he obtained a scholarship to continue his secondary education at Rockhampton State High School where he passed his junior examinations in 1931 before graduating from the school in 1933.[6]
Upon graduating from Rockhampton State High School, Diamond showed his potential for further success when he achieved the highest marks in Australia after undertaking the Commonwealth Public Service Examinations.[7] This enabled him to receive a scholarship to attend the University of Queensland in Brisbane.[6][7][8]
At university, he studied science and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in 1937.[9]
Career[edit]
After graduating from university Diamond worked as a teacher at a number of private schools throughout New South Wales and Queensland including Scots College and Barker College before returning to Rockhampton in 1945 to take up a position as senior mathematics and chemistry master at the Rockhampton Grammar School.[10]
While back in Rockhampton, Diamond was elected to a committee in 1945 that had been created to advocate for the establishment of more adult education services in the city.[11] Diamond was also elected onto the Rockhampton School of Arts committee in 1946.[12]
In 1947, he left Australia and relocated to the United States after he was accepted as a post graduate student at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena.[13] After studying at Caltech for three years, he graduated in 1951 as a Doctor of Philosophy with a mathematics major and a physics minor.[14] His dissertation was titled "A Type of Pseudo-Norm".[15]
Diamond returned to Australia following his graduation from Caltech, keen to share his experiences with higher education in America.[16][17]
He was appointed as the head of the Ipswich Grammar School in December 1951.[10] At just 37 years old, it was noted that Diamond was considered young for the position.[18]
In February 1953, Diamond resigned from the position at Ipswich Grammar after just two years in the role.[19][20] He then returned to America where he began working in the aerospace field, employed by Lockheed Corporation and Meteorology Research Inc - a company founded by Paul MacCready.[21][22]
In 1956, he co-authored Studies of Contrails from Jet Powered Aircraft.[23]
In 1958, he was appointed as an assistant professor of mathematics at California State College in Los Angeles.[22]
He continued working in America throughout the 1960s and 1970s, despite revealing in a letter to his uncle in 1964 that he had attempted to find work back in Australia by applying for a position as professor of mathematics at the University of Queensland in Brisbane.[1]
In 1965, Diamond was elected to a three-year term as an executive committee member for the 51-member Academic Senate at California State College.[24]
Diamond had several articles published in journals in the 1960s including in the Philosophy of Science and the British Journal for the Philosophy of Science.[25][26] This included a discussion in 1964 about how to resolve the paradox of Tristram Shandy, which had been explored by Bertrand Russell in his book The Principles of Mathematics.[26]
Views[edit]
Politics[edit]
Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, Diamond and his brothers were actively involved in the local branches of the Queensland People's Party which ultimately became the Queensland division of the Liberal Party of Australia.[27]
In the 1940s, Diamond served as honorary secretary and then president of the Rockhampton branch of the QPP while his older brother Stu Diamond served as chairman of the Allenstown branch of the party.[28][29][30]
In 1950, Diamond's younger brother Ron was preselected to be the Liberal Party candidate to contest the state seat of Rockhampton at the 1950 Queensland state election.[31] Ron Diamond was narrowly defeated by sitting Labor member James Larcombe.[32][33]
Teaching methods[edit]
After returning to Australia following his graduation from Caltech, Diamond opined that there were less opportunities for tertiary education in Australia than in the United States and that faculty members of Australian universities where more lenient than those in the US where he believed professors were expected to be more active in both teaching and research.[17]
Diamond was vehemently opposed to non-traditional ways of teaching maths. He described modern ways of teaching maths as "valueless" and "mathematically gobbledygoook", using the term "newmathania" to describe any abstract way of teaching arithmetic.[34][35][36]
In 1974, he wrote a letter to The Sydney Morning Herald in response to an earlier editorial about comments made by both Peter Karmel and Mark Oliphant regarding young people seemingly being pressured into pursuing tertiary education when some may be more suited to other career pathways.[37] In the letter, he criticised what he described as "intellectual snobbery" in American universities and colleges, which he believed had negatively impacted modern mathematics, citing the Banach-Tarski theorem as an example of the "absurdity".[38]
In part he wrote: "It is incredible to the layman, but it happens to be true, that excessive intellectualism has (a) led much of modern mathematics into fragmentary investigations whose only conceivable importance for human affairs is to get the authors promoted and (b) produced the absurdity of the Banach-Tarski-Robinson theorem that a solid sphere of one-inch radius can be broken into five parts and the parts reassembled, without any magnification or distortion, to form two solid spheres, each of a one-inch radius."[38]
Diamond also used an article published by the American Mathematical Society entitled "Can Mathematics be Saved?" as an example of how "intellectual snobbery", "excessive intellectualism" and "fragmentation" had become an issue within the mathematics field.[38]
Diamond's letter attracted criticism from Dr Lawrence J Dickson from the Mathematics Department at the University of New South Wales.[39] Dickson described Diamond's comments as "sneering" and took umbrage at Diamond's assessment of the Banach-Tarski theorem, writing: "He knows as well as I do that it is not "absurd" but closely reasoned with a valid conclusion about the limits of geometrical intuition."[39]
Personal life[edit]
Diamond married American woman Dorothy May Kerns on 23 December 1949 in Pasadena, California, after which they began living on Cordova Street.[40][41]
On 1 February 1957, Diamond became a naturalized American citizen.[42]
Diamond admired his family, particularly his mother and her brothers.[1] He described his mother as someone who had "sound common sense" who held up her own brothers as example of men who had "strength, gumption and ability".[1]
Diamond attributed his successful career to the pride he had for his uncles, Protassie (Tass) Comollatti, Tom Comollatti and Sam Comollatti.[1]
In a letter written from America to Tass Comollatti in 1964 Diamond wrote: "I am sure you realized that we thought very highly of you and that anything Stu, or Ron, or I achieved in this life was strongly influenced by the pride we took in our uncles at Duaringa. And the same was true of Harry."[1]
Death and legacy[edit]
Diamond died on 5 April 2002.[43] He was cremated and his ashes were interred in the family plot at the North Rockhampton Cemetery.[43]
After Diamond's death, his younger brother Ron, the last surviving Diamond sibling, established the Robert James Diamond Science Trust Scholarship in 2006 which is available to two students entering an undergraduate science program at Central Queensland University.[44] The $1000 scholarship was established to help students with the cost of expenses such as text books in their first year of study.[45]
In 2000, Ron Diamond and his wife Helen had also established a $50,000 trust in his brother's name to help fund the non-profit Central Highlands Science Centre at the former post office building in Emerald as a way to commemorate the life and career of his brother.[44]
Speaking about his brother in 2002, Ron Diamond said: "For Jim, science and learning transcended all."[46]
In 2007, Ron Diamond was presented with a B-HERT high commendation for outstanding philanthropic contribution to tertiary education.[44] Ron Diamond died at the age of 94 in 2015.[47] Their brother Stu had died at the age of 59 in 1973.[48]
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 Comollatti, Jane (2012). Antonio Comollatti & Ann Reed: Early settlers of Duaringa. Rockhampton, Queensland: Jane Comollatti. pp. 4, 14–25, 59–60, 71. Search this book on
- ↑ Spirit of the Seniors. Duaringa, Queensland: Duaringa Shire Council. 2005. pp. 21–23. Search this book on
- ↑ "Death registration: Henry Diamond". Family history research service. Queensland Government. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
Death date: 26/07/1925; Mother's name: Elizabeth Gibson; Father's name: Henry Diamond; Registration details: 1925/C/3676
- ↑ "Death of "Sparkles" Diamond". The Evening News. 25 August 1932. p. 10. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
- ↑ "Death registration: Ann Comollatti". Family history research service. Queensland Government.
Death date: 05/03/1932; Mother's name: Hannah Eleanor Claydon; Father's name: William Reed; Registration details: 1932/C/877
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Robert James Diamond". The Morning Bulletin. 23 December 1933. p. 7. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
Robert James Diamond, age 17 years, received his primary education at the Central Boys State School. Obtained a State School scholarship in December 1929 and enrolled at Rockhampton High School in 1930. He passed his junior examination in 1931, this being the first year in which the two-year Junior was taken, and obtained 6 A passes and 3 B passes. He took his Senior this year and obtained an open scholarship to the University. He is a son of Mrs. A. J. Diamond, 107 George Street
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "First in Australia". The Morning Bulletin. 13 April 1934. p. 8. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
- ↑ "Scholarship Awards". The Courier-Mail. 26 December 1933. p. 16. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
The successful students are:-...R. J. Diamond, State High School, Rockhampton...
- ↑ "Conferring of degrees". The Courier-Mail. 29 April 1937. p. 19.
Admitted in absentia to the pass degree of Bachelor of Science: Robert J. Diamond...
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Dr. Diamond appointed". The Queensland Times. 17 December 1951. p. 2. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
- ↑ "ADULT EDUCATION: Local committee formed". The Morning Bulletin. 17 November 1945. p. 4.
The following committee was elected... R. J. Diamond....
- ↑ "Mr. G. W. MacDonald elected School of Arts president". The Morning Bulletin. 13 August 1946. p. 5. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
The following is the new committee:...R. J. Diamond...
- ↑ "Presentation to Mr. R. J. Diamond". The Morning Bulletin. 17 September 1947. p. 8. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
- ↑ "Degree in US". Brisbane Telegraph. 17 July 1951. p. 8. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
- ↑ Diamond, Robert James (1951). A Type of Pseudo-Norm (Dissertation (Ph.D)) (thesis). California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/EDZW-V217. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
- ↑ "Quest for Education". The Morning Bulletin. 5 July 1951. p. 3. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 "Rotary Address: Impressions of America". The Morning Bulletin. 12 July 1951. p. 5. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
- ↑ "Young head at Ipswich school". The Sunday Mail. 13 January 1952. p. 2. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
- ↑ "IGS head resigns". The Queensland Times. 7 February 1953. p. 2. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
- ↑ "Head resigns". The Courier-Mail. 7 February 1953. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
- ↑ "Dr. R. J. Diamond back in the USA". The Morning Bulletin. 21 May 1953. p. 3. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 "Faculty increase cited at Los Angeles State College". Covina Argus. 9 October 1958. p. 25. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
New members of the official family are:...Robert J. Diamond, assistant professor of Mathematics (Lockheed Aircraft and Meteorology Research Inc)...
- ↑ Smith, Theodore Beaton; Diamond, Robert James (1956). Studies of Contrails from Jet Powered Aircraft. Massachusetts: Geophysics Research Directorate, Air Force Cambridge Research Center, Air Research and Development Command, United States Air Force. OCLC 1302357768. Search this book on
- ↑ "16 Valleyites named to academic senate". Los Angeles Times. 27 June 1965. p. 233. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
- ↑ Diamond, Robert James (February 1963). "Each and all". British Journal for the Philosophy of Science. 13 (52): 278–286. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
- ↑ 26.0 26.1 Diamond, Robert James (1964). "Discussion: Resolution of the Paradox of Tristram Shandy". Philosophy of Science. 31 (1): 55–58. doi:10.1086/287978. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
- ↑ "Allenstown branch of QPP-Liberal Party". The Morning Bulletin. 28 March 1946. p. 9. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
A well attended meeting of the Allenstown branch of the QPP-Liberal Party, Mr. S. G. Diamond presiding, was held in the Allenstown School Hall. After formal business had been disposed of, Mr. R. J. Diamond introduced a discussion...
- ↑ "Liberal Party-QPP branch meeting". The Morning Bulletin. 23 March 1946. p. 5. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
The election of office bearers resulted... honorary secretary Mr R. J. Diamond.
- ↑ "Rockhampton QPP branch". The Morning Bulletin. 8 November 1946. p. 3. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
...Mr. R. J. Diamond was elected to the vacant position of chairman...
- ↑ "QPP-Liberal Party". The Morning Bulletin. 28 February 1946. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
The election of officers resulted: Chairman: Mr. S. G. Diamond...
- ↑ "Candidates for CQ seats". The Morning Bulletin. 28 February 1950. p. 5. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
Still a young man - only 29 - Mr Ronald Fitzroy Diamond, the Liberal candidate for Rockhampton, has approached matters affecting the progress of the city and district...
- ↑ "Larcombe's slender lead in Rockhampton". The Morning Bulletin. 1 May 1950. p. 1. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
- ↑ "Mr Larcombe retains seat". The Morning Bulletin. 6 May 1950. p. 4. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
- ↑ "Cal State prof labels 'new' math 'valueless'". Highland Park News-Herald & Journal. 18 March 1965. p. 5. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
- ↑ "Comment on New Math unfavorable". South Pasadena Review. 24 March 1965. p. 11. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
- ↑ "College professor labels new math 'gobbledygook'". Valley News. 25 March 1965. p. 56. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
- ↑ "Editorial: Nation of babus?". The Sydney Morning Herald. 18 January 1974. p. 6. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
- ↑ 38.0 38.1 38.2 Diamond, R. J. (22 January 1974). "Letter: When 'more' means worse'". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 6. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
- ↑ 39.0 39.1 Dickson, Lawrence L (29 January 1974). "Letter: Nation of babus?". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 6. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
- ↑ (2013) California, US, Marriage Index, 1949-1959, California Department of Health and Welfare Services, Name: Robert J. Diamond; Gender: Male; Estimated birth year: 1916; Age: 33; Marriage date: 23 Dec 1949; Marriage place: Los Angeles, California, USA; Spouse: Dorothy M Kerns; Spouse age: 29.
- ↑ (2022) 1950 United States census, Department of Commerce, Bureau of Census 1913-1972, Name: Robert Diamond; Age: 33; Birth date: 1917; Gender: Male; Race: White; Birth place: Australia; Marital status: Married; Relation to head of house: Head; Residence date: 1950; Home in 1950: Pasadena, Los Angeles, California, USA; Street name: Cordova; House number 1128; Dwelling number: 221; Occupation: student; Household members: Robert Diamond; Age: 33; Dorothy Diamond: Age: 29
- ↑ (2010) US, Naturalization Record Indexes, 1791-1992, World Archives Project, Name: Robert James Diamond; Naturalization age: 40; Record type: Naturalization; Birth date: 24 Oct 1916; Naturalization date: 1 Feb 1957; Court district: California
- ↑ 43.0 43.1 "North Rockhampton Cemetery Burial Index" (PDF). Rockhampton Region burial indexes. Rockhampton Regional Council. January 2018. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
Surname: Diamond; Christian names: Robert James (ashes); Age: 85; Sex: M; Death date: 05 April 2002; Burial date: 16 July 2002; Compartment: 11; Section: 5; Grave no: 5; Religion: Christian
- ↑ 44.0 44.1 44.2 "CQU congratulates benefactor on B-HERT commendation". CQUniNews. Central Queensland University. 18 December 2007. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
In 2000, Mr Diamond, with his wife, Helen, established a $50,000 trust in the name of his late brother, Dr R J (Jim) Diamond, a distinguished physicist and mathematician, to help fund the Central Highlands Science Centre at Emerald. Those resources led to the establishment, in 2006, of the Robert James Diamond Science Scholarships which stimulate interest and achievement among disadvantaged young people in the sciences.
- ↑ "Robert James Diamond Science Trust Scholarship". CQUniversity Australia. Central Queensland University. 2014. Archived from the original on 26 March 2015. Retrieved 21 February 2023. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Foundation friends make social investment". CQUniNews. Central Queensland University. 3 October 2002. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
Benefactors Ron and Helen Diamond commemorated the life of Dr Jim Diamond (Ron’s brother) by providing funds for the non-profit Central Highlands Science Centre in Emerald.
- ↑ "DIAMOND, Ronald Fitzroy". The Courier-Mail. 10 July 2015. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
- ↑ "Death registration: Stuart Gibson Diamond". Family history research service. Queensland Government. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
Death date: 23/11/1973; Mother's name: Amelia Jane Comollatti; Father's name: Henry Diamond; Registration details: 1973/C/7183
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