| Summary: | John Cumpston (1909-1986) graduated BA Hons in the University of Melbourne in 1930, with further degrees of LLB (1932), Diploma of Public Administration (1939) and Litt D (1949). Taking Articles, he practiced as a solicitor for a short time before joining the Commonwealth Public Service in Sydney, working in law. He transferred to the Department of Foreign Affairs in Canberra and early on was involved in critical background preparation for the mapping of Antarctica. With a keen interest in sporting shooting Cumpston served in the volunteer military service. He transferred to the Diplomatic Corps with his first posting in Chile, followed by New Zealand, New Caledonia and a short-term posting in Dili. He retired as departmental historian. While in New Zealand Cumpston developed a strong interest in maritime history that resulted post-retirement in a position with the ANU's Pacific Manuscripts Bureau where he made two extensive trips along Australia's east coast filming whaling ship's logs. While in New Zealand he had developed a method of photographing historical records. He was the author of a number of works on maritime history including "Shipping Arrivals and Departures Sydney 1788-1825". John Cumpston married Helen Dunbar who was the first female law graduate, Tas.
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