Essington Lewis CH (1881-1961) was chief general manager of BHP from 1938 to 1950. He became general manager in 1921, just before nearly 5 000 men were dismissed because of competition from overseas steel. However, by 1934 the Newcastle works was far ahead of most of its European rivals, thanks largely to reforms Lewis had introduced. Following an alarming pre-war tour of Japan he recommended the stockpiling of raw materials and armaments, and in 1940 he was appointed director of munitions, a post which carried enormous power. The blunt industrialist hated publicity and refused recommendation for a knighthood, but John Curtin initiated his appointment in 1943 as Companion of Honour. He died as he had wished to, on horseback, at the age of eighty. Among the papers he left was a personal document the bald title of which captured Lewis's essence. It was 'I AM WORK'
Gift of BHP Billiton 2003. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.
© Roger Dargie and Faye Dargie
BHP Billiton (11 portraits)
On one level The Companion talks about the most famous and frontline Australians, but on another it tells us about ourselves.
Aircraft designer, pilot and entrepreneur, Sir Lawrence Wackett rejoins friends and colleagues on the walls of the National Portrait Gallery.
Scientists tend to conjure up images of men in white coats in labs but this is just one stereotype in an evolving history of how we have perceived scientists, and how their profession has been understood over the years.
