Walter Philip Kennedy Findlay

Walter Philip Kennedy Findlay (10 February 1904 – 18 December 1985) was a US-born British mycologist who contributed to the study of wood pathology and preservation through his research on organisms associated with wood rot. After receiving his education at Sevenoaks School and Imperial College London, where he earned multiple scientific qualifications including a D.Sc. from the University of London in 1942, Findlay spent much of his career at the Forest Products Research Laboratory in Princes Risborough, collaborating with Kenneth St George Cartwright on their seminal text "Decay of Timber and its Prevention". His prolific scientific output extended beyond wood science to brewing technology and popular mycology, while his professional leadership included service as president of the British Mycological Society, the Association of Applied Biologists, and the Institute of Wood Science.

Early life and education

Findlay was born to British parents in New York City. When his family returned to England, he received his education at Sevenoaks School, and at the age of 16 entered Imperial College in London to study botany and mycology. He earned the Associate of the Royal College of Science (A.R.C.S.) in 1923. The following year, he was awarded the Edward Forbes medal and prize by the College. After serving as a demonstrator in the botany department, he carried out research at the Forest Products Research Laboratory of the Imperial College of Science and Technology, where he was awarded the Diploma of Imperial College (DIC.) in 1925. Findlay pursued further studies and was awarded a fellowship by the British Cotton Growing Association in 1926, spending a year at Cambridge, at St. Catharine's College and the Cambridge University School of Agriculture. He later spent several months at the Imperial College of Tropical Agriculture in Trinidad, receiving an associateship of the college (A.I.C.T.A.). He obtained his M.Sc. degree from the University of London in 1932 and his D.Sc. degree from the same institution in 1942. Findlay, W.P.K. (1953). Dry Rot and Other Timber Troubles. 267 pp. Findlay, W.P.K. (1967). The Wayside and Woodland Fungi. 202 pp. Findlay, W.P.K. (1971). Modern Brewing Technology. 384 pp. Findlay, W.P.K. (1975). Timber Properties and Uses. 224 pp. Findlay, W.P.K. (1977). The Observer's Book of Mushrooms. 192 pp. Findlay, W.P.K. (1982). Fungi: Folklore, Fiction and Fact. 112 pp. Findlay, W.P.K. (1985). Preservation of Timber in the Tropics. 273 pp.