Australian scientist specializing in organic chemistry. The most famous reaction named after him is widely used in organic synthesis, in particular in the modification of steroids. Member of the Academy of Sciences of Australia since 1954 and its president from 1982-1986. Elected to the Royal Society of London in 1958. Foreign member of the USSR Academy of Sciences (1976). From 1976 to 1977 he was Vice President of the Royal Australian Institute of Chemistry, from 1977 to 1978 he was President of the Royal Australian Institute of Chemistry. The A.D. Birch medal is named in his honor. The medal has been awarded by the Department of Organic Chemistry of the Australian Royal Institute of Chemistry since 1992.