Daniel Walker

Senior Members of the Ballarat School of Mines Staff. Federation University Historical Collection (Cat. No. 112)
Standing L-R:S.B. Vial (Chemistry); W. Doepel (Clerk); Alfred E.C. Kerr (Mechanical Engineering); Arthur Garrard (Battery Manager); Henry Hall (Drawing); W. Kerr Grant (Mathematics); Charles E. Campbell (Photography); John M. Sutherland (Electricity); H.R. Murphy (Assayer); Charles A. Dean (Cyanide Works).
Sitting L-R: Daniel Walker (Chemistry); Thomas S. Hart (Mineralogy & Curator); Fred. J. Martell (Registrar); Alfred Mica Smith, Senior Professor (Chemistry, Metallurgy, etc); J.S. Dawburn (Engineering & Surveying); Dr Joseph F. Usher (Materia Medica).
Seating (Front) L-R: P.A. Osborne (Assistant Assayer); Godfrey Hart (Museum).

History

Daniel Walker was born in London, and received his education at King’s College, where he was under Professor Bloxam for chemistry. Whilst there he gained several prizes for science subjects, and also the associateship of the college with honors. He next attended a course of lectures at the Royal School of Mines on metallurgy and chemistry, under Dr Percy and Dr Frankland respectively. The associateship of the City of London College with special honours, and medal for chemistry, was also obtained. Mr Walker then matriculated, and passed the intermediate B.Sc. at the London University. A few years were then spent as science master at a grammar school in Somersetshire. He then went to Manchester, and attended classes for physics under Balfour Stewart, and chemistry under Professors Roscoe and Schorlemmer; finally gaining an exhibition for organic chemistry. He was then appointed lecturer for the Science and Art Department in chemistry at the Mechanics’ Institute at Aston-under-Lyne, Cheedle, Duckenfield, and other places in and around Manchester. On account of bad health Mr Walker next came out to Australia, intending to proceed to Sydney, but being offered a good position as science master of Prince Alfred College, Adelaide, he decided to accept it. After four years as a teacher he again became a student, attending the Adelaide University, where he obtained his B.Sc. degree, making a specialty of Chemistry. After taking his degree, Mr Walker in 1888 was offered the position of demonstrator and lecturer in chemistry at the Ballarat School of Mines, which position he holds at this time.

Daniel Walker lectured at the Ballarat School of Mines between 1888 and 1918. He died in 1930, aged 87.

Obituary

Mr Daniel Walker, who for many years was lecturer in chemistry at this school, died on June 11th. Mr Walker was born in London and came to Adelaide in 1885, where he was a science master at Prince Alfred College. After a few years he came to this school in Ballarat from which he retired about a dozen years ago. He was aged 87 years and was active to the last. Our sympathy is with his wife and family. One son, Richard Walker, is now teaching at the Bendigo School of Mines, while his other son, William, is now with the Kraft Cheese Factory, Melbourne.

I regret to have to Report the death of Professor D. Walker - one of the valued teachers; with Prof Smith for a great number of years he controlled the teaching of Chemistry in this School and this efforts the high position of the Chemistry School owes its place.

The funeral was held on the 12th inst and was attended by a representative gathering, the school of closed whilst the funeral was on out of respect for our old friend"

See also

Ballarat School of Mines

Clunes School of Mines

Thomas Hart

Frederick Martell

Alfred Mica Smith

Notes

""A 'RIVAL TO JOHHNY."

There are old School of Mines students all over Australia - all over the world, in fact - who will be pleased to know that Prof. "Danny" Walker is still alert, not only mentally, but physically, as ever, despite the fact that he will soon by half-way through his ninth decade. Chemical problems still interest him, and he is a great gardener, while he is always ready to call up again reminiscences of teh old days.

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