George Handley Knibbs

Sir George Handley Knibbs was an Australian scientist, the first Commonwealth Statistician and the first director of the Commonwealth Institute of Science and Industry, predecessor to the CSIRO. He was nicknamed "the Knibb".

Early life

Knibbs was born in Frederick Place, Sydney, son of John Handley Knibbs, foreman, and his wife Ellen née Curthoys.

Career

Knibbs joined the New South Wales Land Survey Department in 1877 and in January 1878 was appointed a licensed surveyor.

First statistician

In 1906 the Commonwealth Bureau of Census and Statistics was created and Knibbs became its first director. He was the first Statistician for the commonwealth census in 1911.

Recognition

Knibbs was created a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1911 and was knighted in 1923.