Biography/Science
Book Details

Trikojus

A Scientist for Interesting Times

Ross Humphreys

Foreword by Professor Peter Doherty

In Trikojus Ross Humphreys reveals the courageous, inspiring and clever man behind this brilliant scientist.

Opinion

“Humphries makes good use of the Trikojus archives and, by restoring him to his context, makes fresh sense of his life. The book goes well beyond the official biography, and recaptures a sense of what life in wartime (and Cold War) Australia could be like for those who differed from the familiar norm.”
(Roy MacLeod, Medical Journal of Australia, Vol. 183, No.1, 4 July 2005)

“In writing this biography, Ross Humphreys has documented not only an outstanding biochemical career, but also the early history of biochemistry in Australia.”
“Trik was an imposing figure and dominated the life of the Department at the University of Melbourne - in many respects the classical god-like professor.”
(Bill Sawyer, Dept. of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology at Melbourne Uni - review in Australian Biochemist, Vol. 36, No.2, August 2005)

About this Title

Professor Victor Trikojus exerted enormous influence on the development of biochemistry in Australia. His forceful personality and his ability to master intricate detail meant that he also imposed considerable influence on academic affairs, particularly at the University of Melbourne.

Trikojus established his reputation through researching Thyroid malfunction. It was during World War Two that his scientific work shone. He identified and manufactured many drugs, particularly sulphaguanidine, which controlled bacillary dysentery and was essential to the welfare of Australia's fighting forces, particularly in the New Guinea campaign.

Yet during this war his professional relationship with German science and industry brought him under suspicion and he was forced to defend charges of subversion for which he was briefly imprisoned. After his death, attacks on his record brought outraged defence from senior researchers and thinkers.

In Trikojus Ross Humphreys reveals the courageous and clever man behind this intriguing scientist.

About the Author

Ross Humphreys is Professor Emeritus and Honorary Research Consultant in Agricultural Science at the University of Queensland. He was Head of the Department of Agriculture for thirteen years, and Pro-Vice Chancellor of Biological Sciences until 1993. This is his fourth book with Melbourne University Press.

Book Preview

978-0-522-85095-6