Joyce Allan

Joyce Allan (8 April 1896 – 31 August 1966) was an Australian conchologist, museum curator at the Australian Museum and a scientific illustrator.

Early life and education

Allan was born Catherine Mabel Joyce Allan on 8 April 1896 in Balmain, Sydney. She was the eighth child of Florence Fountain Allan née Hesketh and Joseph Stuart Allan. Allan's education was initially private but she went on to attend Fort Street Girls' High School.

In 1920 Allan obtained a permanent position at the museum, and upon the resignation of Hedley in 1924, was responsible for the Australia Museums's conchology section with Tom Iredale as her assistant. and contributed to the Australian Encyclopaedia. Allan frequently appeared as the subject of articles in newspaper and magazines, not only as a result of being a woman scientist, but also because of her talent at science communication.

In 1931 Allan was appointed to the position of scientific assistant. During the Second World War she worked in the National Emergency Services and was appointed assistant to the superintendent of air-raid precautions. Microcanthus joycei Whitley, 1931