Professor Allan Fraser Wilson, 1921–2001

Abstract

Allan Fraser Wilson who died on 28 May 2001 in Brisbane, Queensland at the age of 80 was born at Croydon Park, Adelaide, South Australia on 15 May 1921. He was the third child of Alexander Wilson, a Church of Christ minister and his wife Ruby. The family subsequently lived in the Strathalbyn area of South Australia where Allan completed his primary and secondary schooling at Naracorte and Strathalbyn. Allan was passionate about science and education and studied simultaneously at the University of Adelaide and the Adelaide Teachers College. During this time he came under the influence of the explorer-scientist Sir Douglas Mawson who was Professor of Geology and Mineralogy at Adelaide. In 1944 Allan obtained his Teaching Certificate and also graduated from the University of Adelaide with a BSc in geology with first-class honours. Mawson was impressed by Allan’s boundless energy and his flair for mineral identification and encouraged him to continue his studies. Allan shared Mawson’s dual interests in fundamental science and exploration and they collaborated in the search for uranium and other strategic minerals in South Australia and the Northern Territory. During his MSc research Allan taught primary and secondary school classes, lectured casually at the university and was also involved in a number of Christian organizations. It was through the latter that he met Betty Skinner who shared his strong religious convictions. They were married in 1946. Allan completed the MSc under Mawson’s supervision in 1947 and was appointed a lecturer in geology at the …