Gilbert, L. A. (Lionel Arthur), 1924-

Lionel Gilbert (OAM) was a historian, educator, museologist and one of Armidale's foremost local historians. After serving with the Royal Australian Air Force during the Second World War, he trained as a teacher and taught in New South Wales schools before moving to Armidale in 1960. He joined the Armidale Teachers' College in 1963, where he developed innovative courses in local and applied history and inspired generations of teachers through his practical approach to history education. Gilbert was instrumental in establishing the New England Historical Resources Centre in 1974, now part of the University of New England Regional Archives, and served for many years as Honorary Curator of the Armidale Folk Museum. Awarded the Order of Australia Medal in 1995 and made a Freeman of the City of Armidale in 2001, he authored numerous books and publications and is widely regarded as one of the most influential historians of the New England region.