Frank Dobson

Frank S. Dobson was a UK lichenologist and author of Lichens: An Illustrated Guide to the British and Irish species, the major guide to UK and Irish lichens from the late 20th century into the early 21st century.

Personal life and business career Dobson lived in New Malden for all his life. He attended Tiffin School where a teacher inspired his interest in botany, although his academic progress was affected by undiagnosed dyslexia. He worked in photography, initially in the family business, and became a skilled photographer. He later developed specialist printing and publishing enterprises, founding Richmond Publishing Co. Ltd. in 1970. He was a member of the photographic consultative committees of Twickenham College and the London College of Printing and other organisations involved in training within the printing industry.

Honours and awards Dobson was made an Honorary member of the British Lichen Society in 1997 and received the society's Ursula Duncan award in 2005.

Publications Dobson was the author of several other books in addition to Lichens: An Illustrated Guide to the British and Irish species. These included: Frank S. Dobson, A Field Key to Lichens on Trees (2013), 110pp Frank S. Dobson, A Field Key to Coastal and Seashore Lichens (2011), 100 pp Frank S. Dobson, A Field Key to Churchyard Lichens (2003)