Allan Percy Fleming

Allan Percy Fleming (5 March 191218 January 2001) was a senior Australian public servant and journalist, best known for his time as National Librarian in the 1970s.

Biography Early life Allan Fleming was born on 5 March 1912 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. He was educated at Lee Street State school in North Carlton, Scotch College and Melbourne University.

World War II service At the outbreak of World War II in 1939, Fleming enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force.

Professional career In 1968 Fleming was appointed Parliamentary Librarian. He became National Librarian in 1970, heading the National Library of Australia. In 1972 he went on a 10-week world tour studying libraries in Japan, Sweden, France, Belgium, the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada. Retiring in 1973, Fleming told media that he intended to write a book and spend time traveling in Europe.

Fleming died on 18 January 2001. He was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1978, in recognition of his work in the Australian Public Service.