Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 13, 2026

William Compston

William (Bill) Compston FAA, FRS was an Australian geophysicist. He was a visiting fellow at the Australian National University.

Last revised
Jun 13, 2026
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William (Bill) Compston FAA, FRS (19 February 1931 – 16 May 2025) was an Australian geophysicist.1234 He was a visiting fellow at the Australian National University.5

Compston developed the sensitive high-resolution ion microprobe (SHRIMP), for isotopic analyses of geological samples.6 SHRIMP enabled the world's oldest rock to be identified in Western Australia.7

Honours and awards

  • 2001 Centenary Medal from the Government of Australia 8
  • 1998 Matthew Flinders Medal and Lecture of the Australian Academy of Science9
  • 1988 Mawson Medal and Lecture of the Australian Academy of Science10
References

References

  1. "Compston, William (1931 - )". Biographical entry. Encyclopaedia of Australian Science.
  2. "Professor Bill Compston". Fellow. Australian Academy of Science.
  3. "Vale Bill Compston". ANU Research School of Earth Sciences. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
  4. "Compston, William, FAA, FRS (1931-)". trove.nla.gov.au.
  5. David Salt (2005). "Professor Bill Compston, isotope geochemist". Interviews with Australian scientists. Australian Academy of Science.
  6. "History". Archived from the original on 7 October 2011. Retrieved 7 December 2011.
  7. "History - Compston". SHRIMP. anu.edu.au.
  8. "Centenary Medal". It's an Honour. 1 January 2001. For service to Australian Earth Science and Instrumental Development
  9. "Matthew Flinders Medal and Lecture". Australian Academy of Science.
  10. "Mawson Medal and Lecture". Australian Academy of Science.
External links