Person

Wilson, Charles Algernon (1818 - 1884)

Born
1818
Turnham Green, United Kingdom
Died
20 June 1884
Kensington, United Kingdom
Occupation
Entomologist

Summary

Charles Wilson was an enthusiastic entomological collector before he arrived in Adelaide in 1839. He travelled widely collecting insects across South Australia and other parts of Australia including Tasmania, often in company with friends such as Hermann Behr. Wilson sent some of his collections to the Entomological Society of London, while also donating to the museum of the South Australian Institute. At the time he was one of the few entomologists in the colony. He wrote prolifically (often under a pseudonym) in local newspapers and agricultural magazines such as The register and Garden and field. It is in these writings that information about native insects native to South Australia before the arrival of Europeans can be found. His subjects were often about insects causing harm to plants: his advice on damage to vegetables and fruit trees being much sought after

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Details

Chronology

1839
Life event - Migrated to South Australia
1846
Career event - Joined the South Australian Government service
1847
Life event - Elected Corresponding Member, Entomological Society of London
1858
Career event - Appointed Registrar of Probates and Commissioner of Inland Revenue, South Australian Government
1876
Career event - Appointed Chief Clerk, South Australian Supreme Court

Related Corporate Bodies

Published resources

Books

  • Musgrave, A., Bibliography of Australian entomology, 1775-1930: with biographical notes on authors and collectors (Sydney: Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales, 1932), 380 pp. Details
  • Wilson, John G., The insect man: Charles Algernon Wilson, Adelaide's first entomologist (Henley Beach (S.A.): Seaview Press, 2005), 256 pp. Details

Journal Articles

  • Wilson, John G., 'Some Early Reports of Insects in Australia: with Particular Reference to South Australia and the Work of Charles Algernon Wilson, Adelaide's First Entomologist', South Australian Geological Journal, 103 (2004), 15-24. Details

Resources

See also

  • Davidson, J., 'One Hundred Years of Entomology in South Australia', Proceedings of the Royal Society of South Australia, 60 (1937), xxxv-xl, https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/41566101. Details
  • Loyau, George E., Notable South Australians: or, colonists - past and present (Adelaide: G. E. Loyau, 1885), 288 pp. Details

Gavan McCarthy [P004098] and Helen Cohn

Created: 20 October 1993, Last modified: 6 October 2023

EOAS ID: biogs/P001950b.htm

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