Collection of correspondence, memoranda, notes, diaries, lectures, publications, press cuttings and photographs covering every phase of Rivett's life. The subject matter includes his career at the University of Melbourne, and Oxford 1907-1910, his work for the British Ministry of Munitions during World War I, and at the University of Melbourne 1920-1927, for the CSIR and CSIRO from 1927 until 1959 including his work with their Advisory Council after 1950. Documented too are Rivett's association with the Australian National Research Council, the Second Pan-Pacific Sciences Conference, 1923, the Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science, 1924-1932, the Royal Society of Victoria, 1931-1934, the Society of Chemical Industry of Victoria, 1931-1934, the Imperial Chemical Industries' organizations in Australia and New Zealand, 1930-1956, the Canberra University College, 1947, the Australian National University, 1951-1953, the Australian Academy of Science, 1952-1955. There are papers concerning Rivett's research into extracting oil from coal, 1931-1936; negotiations dealing with his consideration of the post of Vice-Chancellor of the University of Melbourne - 1935; and the attacks made on Rivett's administration of CSIR after World War II. The general correspondence dates from 1919 until 1959, and there are letters concerning his K.C.M.G. in 1935, his election as a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1911 and concerning his son Rohan during 1945 and 1946. Manuscripts, typescripts and reprints of lectures and addresses of Sir David and Lady Rivett are also included.n.
