The late Dr. R. H. Pulleine’s extensive library of valuable books and rare collection of native weapons and curios

Abstract

"Catalogue of Dr. R. H. Pulleine’s extensive library of valuable books, 1400 volumes ... also rare collection of native weapons and curios, 500 pieces... at our salerooms... on Tuesday, November 19 at 11 am (books) ; Wednesday, November 20, at 11 am (weapons and curios)." -- p. 3. Photocopy of original catalogue. [unknown]. Robert Henry Pulleine (1869-1935), physician and naturalist, was born on 7 June 1869 at Picton, Marlborough, New Zealand, son of Frederick Arthur Pulleine, later first registrar of the South Australian School of Mines and Industries, and his wife Lucy Jane, née Butt. His childhood was spent in Fiji. The family moved to Adelaide in 1881 and Robert attended the Collegiate School of St Peter before working at the Public Library of South Australia in 1885-87; in the neighbouring South Australian Museum he developed his interest in natural science. He taught at the Adelaide Collegiate School before entering the University of Adelaide in 1892, completing his medical training at the University of Sydney Medical School (M.B., Ch.M., 1898) and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. After working in Gympie Qld and further study in Britain, he returned in 1907 to Adelaide to become a highly respected consultant in these diseases. Pulleine’s practice supported his naturalist interests, particularly the importing of cacti seeds and plants and collecting trips to Tasmania and Central Australia. His valuable collection of books, Aboriginal artefacts and paintings were housed in a twenty-two-room, bluestone home with five acres (2 ha) of garden at Netherby near Adelaide. Pulleine developed a consuming interest in botany, anthropology, marine biology, history, entomology and, specifically, arachnology: his studies of the trapdoor spider drew the attention of scientists throughout the world. Pulleine published many medical and scientific pamphlets and articles, overseas and in Australia. With his friend Archibald Watson Pulleine owned Walwa Private Hospital. Pulleine died there of pneumonia complicating diabetes mellitus on 13 June 1935, and was buried in Mitcham cemetery. Pulleine’s extensive library and ethnographic collection were auctioned. Part of his collection had been exhibited at the South Australian Centennial Exhibition in 1936, and the South Australian Museum bought some of the Australian ethnologia. Adapted from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.