William Allman Biography

William Allman, M.D. (1776–1846), professor of botany at Dublin, was born at Kingston, Jamaica, on 7 Feb. 1776, but his parents removed to Ireland before he was four years of age, his mother being a native of Waterford. He was educated in that town, and Trinity College, Dublin, where he obtained a scholarship, and graduated B.A. in 1796, M.A. in 1801, and M.D. in 1804. He practised medicine in Clonmel until 1809, when he was elected professor of botany in Dublin University. Soon after this event he became acquainted with Robert Brown, the botanist, with whom his friendship was lifelong. In consequence of this intimacy, Dr. Allman arranged lectures in 1812 on the natural system, he being the first professor in the British isles to do so. He held the chair of botany until 1844, when he was succeeded by Dr. George James Allman; but he did not long enjoy his well-earned leisure, for he died on 8 December 1846.