Biographical entry Williams, Francis Edgar (1893 - 1943)

Summary

Francis Edgar Williams was government anthropologist, Territory of Papua 1928-43. He founded and edited a monthly newspaper in simple English, the "Papuan Villager" (1929-42).

Details

Born 9 February 1893. Died 12 May 1943. Educated University of Adelaide (BA 1914, MA 1928) and Oxford (Diploma in anthropology 1921, BSc 1934, DSc 1941). Australian Imperial Force 1915-18, assistant government anthropologist, Territory of Papua 1922-28, government anthropologist 1928-43, military intelligence, compiling manuals for the Allied Geographical Section 1941-43, liaison officer, Australian New Guinea Administrative Unit 1943. Wellcome gold medal for anthropological research 1933, Cilento medal 1935, Rockefeller fellowship 1933-34. President, anthropology section, Australian and New Zealand Association for the Advancement of Science 1939.

Published resources

Book Sections

• Young, Michael W., 'Williams, Francis Edgar (1893-1943), Anthropologist and Public Servant', in John Ritchie (ed.), Australian Dictionary of Biography, vol. 12, Melbourne University Press, Melbourne, 1990, pp. 497-498. Also available at http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A120559b.htm. Details

Journal Articles

• Elkin, A.P., 'Obituary: F. E. Williams', Australian Journal of Science, vol. 6, no. 3, 1943, pp. 92-93. Details

Online Resources

• National Library of Australia, 'Williams, Francis Edgar', Trove, National Library of Australia and the Australian National Maritime Museum Darling Harbour, 2009, http://nla.gov.au/nla.party-840787. Details