Summary
Charles Denison (Deny) King AM (12 September 1909 – 12 May 1991) was an Australian naturalist, ornithologist, environmentalist, painter and tin miner. He spent fifty-five years living in Melaleuca in Port Davey, part of the remote South West Wilderness of Tasmania where he discovered the extinct shrub, Banksia kingii, among other major exploits.[1]
Deny King | |
|---|---|
| Born | Charles Denison King 12 September 1909 Huonville, Tasmania |
| Died | 12 May 1991 (aged 81) Hobart, Tasmania |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Occupation(s) | Naturalist, ornithologist, artist, miner |
| Known for | Preservation of the orange-bellied parrot |
| Spouse | Margaret Ann Cadell |
| Children | Mary and Janet |
Biography edit
King was a tin miner by profession and followed his father, Charlie, to Melaleuca in 1936, where he built a house, which was accommodation for himself and workers as well as the airstrip which opened up tourism for the South West Wilderness.
On 6 June 1940, Deny King enlisted in the Australian Army where he served through World War II being discharged on 15 October 1945.[2]
On 5 November 1949, Deny King married Margaret Ann Cadell at St David's Cathedral, Hobart.[3] The couple had two daughters, Mary and Janet.[4]
He was instrumental in preserving the habitat of the orange-bellied parrot and it was in Melaleuca that he discovered the extinct tree or shrub Banksia kingii. King also discovered a species of eyebright, Euphrasia kingii (nowadays known as Euphrasia gibbsiae subspecies kingii), as well as a flowering evergreen in the Protea family (Proteaceae): King's Lomatia (also known as King's holly, Lomatia tasmanica).[1]
In 1971, the King family's life at Melaleuca was the subject of an episode of the ABC television series "A Big Country".[4]
In 1975, King was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia for his community service.[5][6]
On 12 May 1991, Deny King died suddenly of a heart attack at the home of his daughter Mary King in Hobart. He was cremated and his ashes scattered at Melaleuca.[7]
References edit
- ^ a b Mattingley, Christobel. "Deny King". The companion to Tasmanian history. Centre for Tasmanian Historical Studies, University of Tasmania. Archived from the original on 16 October 2013. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
- ^ "King, Charles Denison". National Archives of Australia. p. B883:TX2261.
- ^ "Family Notices". The Sydney Morning Herald. National Library of Australia. 19 November 1949. p. 40. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
- ^ a b "THE KINGS OF MELALEUCA". The Australian Women's Weekly. National Library of Australia. 5 May 1971. p. 17. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
- ^ "QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY HONOURS". The Canberra Times. National Library of Australia. 14 June 1975. p. 9. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
- ^ "King, Charles Dennison". It's an Honour. Australian Government. Archived from the original on 9 February 2015.
- ^ "Deny King dies". The Canberra Times. National Library of Australia. 15 May 1991. p. 4. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
Further reading edit
- Mattingley, Christobel (2001). King of the wilderness. The Text Publishing Company.
- — (December 2001). "What an exciting find! Deny King's contributions to science". National Library of Australia News. XII (3): 7–10. Archived from the original on 19 January 2012.