Born

12 November 1896
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Died

2 January 1980

Occupation

Scientist

Summary

Irene Crespin was a micropalaeontologist. After graduating from the University of Melbourne in 1919, she worked for the Geological Survey of Victoria, describing macro and micro-fossils found in sediment on the Mornington Peninsula. In 1927 she was appointed assistant palaeontologist to Frederick Chapman in the Geological Branch of the Department of Home Affairs. She succeeded him as Commonwealth palaeontologist in 1935, at half his salary.

Sources used to compile this entry: Bartlett, Margaret E., 'Crespin, Irene (1896-1981)', in Australian Dictionary of Biography Online, Australian National University, 2006, http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A130593b.htm; Radi, Heather (ed.), 200 Australian Women: A Redress Anthology, Women's Redress Press, Sydney, 1988, 258 pp. Also available at http://nla.gov.au/nla.arc-78644.