Guide to the Papers of Cecil Gibb, 1936-1983

 

Collection context

Summary

Collection number:
MS 9231
Extent:
3.5 metres and (25 boxes)
Language:
English
Preferred citation:
Items from this collection should be cited as '[Title or description of manuscript item], Papers of Cecil Gibb, National Library of Australia, MS 9231, [box number and series and/or file number]'.
Availability:
Available
Access conditions:
Available for research. Not for loan.

Background

Content Summary:
The papers comprise working notes, computer punch cards, matrices and other data, correspondence, reports and publications relating to Gibb's work in Australia and the United States as a research psychologist, and his subsequent career in Australian educational administration and research. A quantity of material relating to Gibb's work on tertiary admission procedures is included. Notes and reports arising from Gibb's chairing of the 1971 committee, which reported to the Gorton Government on the condition of Aborigines on pastoral properties in the Northern Territory, are also held.
Biographical Note:

Cecil Gibb was foundation professor of Psychology at the Australian National University and eminent internationally for his research into personality factors and leadership. Gibb was born in Marrickville in 1913, and educated at Fort Street Boys High School and Sydney University, where he graduated with honours in both arts and economics. After a brief period as lecturer in Psychology at Sydney University, he joined the Australian Army Psychology Service in 1942 and by 1946 was assistant to the Director of Psychological Services with the rank of major.

Gibb's work for the Army and its personnel services provided a basis for later exploration of personality factors, leadership and education selection procedures. The United States was the world leader in Gibb's initial field, factor analysis, and in 1947 Gibb completed his doctorate at the University of Illinois. In Chicago he worked with the leading international figure Raymond Cattell, who pioneered the application of factor analysis in personality measurement. At Dartmouth College, New Hampshire, between 1951 and 1955 Gibb co-ordinated an interdisciplinary course in human relations, and contributed research papers in areas of industrial and social psychology. Gibb edited the Penguin series publication, Leadership, in 1969.

On his return to Australia in 1955 Gibb took up the new chair of Psychology at the then Canberra University College. As a foundation member of the College Council, he was involved in the negotiations preceding amalgamation of the College with the Australian National University in 1960. Gibb filled the position of deputy chairman of the School of General Studies at the Australian National University between 1966 and 1971, a period of considerable change. Student quotas were widespread and the cause of debate as to their effectiveness and fairness.

Gibb was awarded an O.B.E. in 1970 for his services to education. In 1971 he chaired the committee that reported to the Gorton Government on the conditions of Aborigines on pastoral properties in the Northern Territory.

Guided by his earlier leadership and personality research, and experience as a university teacher and administrator, Gibb was at the forefront of new policy developments in tertiary admissions. His work for the Tertiary Education Commission during the 1970s established a blueprint for tertiary admission procedures in Australia, and led to an improved understanding of selection methods and quotas.

Having retired from the Australian National University, in 1981-1983 Gibb conducted a study of entry scores, admission procedures and selection in Universities for the Tertiary Education Commission. He died in Canberra, 1 May 1994, aged 80.

References: Canberra Times, 14 May 1994; The Australian, 12 May 1994.

Provenance:

Gibb's wife Margaret donated the papers to the Library in 1994.

Arrangement:

Overall, the papers are arranged in chronological order, covering facets of Gibb's research, teaching and administrative careers. However, in some cases material that has been reused for later purposes is held with the later material, reflecting the order of papers as they were received.

Access and use

Conditions Governing Access:
Please refer to the collection's catalogue record for the access conditions (http://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn236767).
Conditions Governing Use:
Copying and publishing of unpublished manuscript material is subject to copyright restrictions. For such material, written permission to publish must be obtained from the copyright holder(s). Copying of unpublished material for research purposes is permissible 50 years after the death of the creator of the material.
Preferred citation:
Items from this collection should be cited as '[Title or description of manuscript item], Papers of Cecil Gibb, National Library of Australia, MS 9231, [box number and series and/or file number]'.
Location of this collection:
Parkes Place
Canberra ACT 2600, Australia
Contact: