Arthur Graham Brown (22 April 1919 – 3 January 1982) was an Australian medical doctor and amateur ornithologist, notable for his involvement with the Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union.
Arthur Graham Brown | |
|---|---|
| Born | 22 April 1919 |
| Died | 3 January 1982 (aged 62) |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Alma mater | Christ's College, Cambridge |
| Known for | President of Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | medicine, ornithology |
Early life edit
Brown was born on 22 April 1919 in Warminster, England, and emigrated to Australia that same year.[1] He was educated at Glamorgan Preparatory School in Melbourne (1927–29) and Geelong Grammar School (1930–37).[1] In 1938, Brown travelled by sea from Melbourne to England to attend university.[2][A] Like his father and grandfather, he pursued a medical career, receiving his education at Christ's College, Cambridge (1938–40) and Middlesex Hospital in London, England (1940–45).[1]
Ornithology edit
Brown joined the Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union in 1936, and the British Ornithologists' Union in 1939.[1] In 1956, he founded the Colac Field Naturalists' Club and was its first President.[1] He joined the Royal Society of Victoria in 1959, and served on its council from 1970 to 1974.[1] In 1968, he became an Honorary Associate in Ornithology at the National Museum of Victoria.[1] He was involved in several extended ornithological field trips, including to north-west Australia in 1959, around the Australian continent in 1962, and to Australia's centre and north-west regions in 1967.[1] He published the first Victorian record of the cattle egret (Ardeola ibis coromanda).[1] Brown served as President of the Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union from 1969 to 1972, and presided over efforts to modernise the organisation.[1]
Personal life and death edit
Brown married Joan Frecheville in 1946, and together they had two sons and two daughters.[1] Joan died in 1967 following a long illness.[1] In 1968, he married Noela Downey.[1] Brown died on 3 January 1982 at his home at Heathcote Junction, near Wandong, Victoria, and was survived by his second wife, Noela.[1]