Arthur James Perkins
Arthur James Perkins (11 May 1871 – 23 June 1944) was a viticulturist, important in the early history of South Australia's wine industry. He was headmaster of Roseworthy Agricultural College for ten years, and responsible for developing many leaders in primary production.
History
Perkins was born in Ramleh, Egypt,[a] a son of Anna Edith Perkins, née Barker, and William Edmund Perkins (1848–1915), a Reuters agent. He was educated at St Louis College, Carthage, St Charles College, Tunis, All Saints' School, Bloxham, England, and the École Nationale d'Agriculture at Montpellier, France, with a special interest in viticulture. By this time his father was managing a French energy company in Tunisia, and Perkins found employment managing several properties in that country.[1]
He was appointed Professor of Viticulture in South Australia in 1892,[2] and Government Viticulturist. He was appointed inspector under the Vine, Fruit, and Vegetable Protection Act in 1894.
In 1899 he was, with Maurice William Holtze (shortly to be replaced by George Quin), one of two government appointees to the original Phylloxera Board, whose other members were Thomas Hardy, George Fullerton Cleland, Henry Maydwell Martin, William Patrick Auld, Hermann Büring, and Benno Seppelt. He was appointed Principal of Roseworthy College in 1904 and in 1914 promoted to Director of Agriculture, replacing for Professor Lowrie.[3]
A stereotypical "absent-minded professor",[4] he retired in 1936, and was awarded an OBE in 1937. He died at his home in Brighton, South Australia, and his remains interred in St Jude's Cemetery, Brighton. He was important in the development of the wine industry in South Australia.[5]
Personal
Perkins was married and had a home at 44 Marlborough Street, Brighton, South Australia. Their son,[6] Dr Horace James Perkins (1901–1986), was a talented musician.[7]
Notes
- ^ Ramleh was a seaside resort town to the east of Alexandria, not to be confused with Ramleh in Palestine.
References
- ^ J. G. Daniels (1988). Australian Dictionary of Biography: 'Perkins, Arthur James (1871–1944). National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
- ^ "Other S.A. Recipients". The Advertiser (Adelaide). South Australia. 11 May 1937. p. 24. Retrieved 14 February 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "The Agricultural Department". The Journal (Adelaide). Vol. XLIX, no. 13440. South Australia. 18 June 1914. p. 1. Retrieved 14 February 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Gossip". Smith's Weekly. Vol. VI, no. 13. New South Wales, Australia. 17 May 1924. p. 15. Retrieved 14 February 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Prof. Perkins Dead". The Advertiser (Adelaide). Vol. LXXXVI, no. 26747. South Australia. 24 June 1944. p. 6. Retrieved 14 February 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Out Among The People". The Chronicle (Adelaide). Vol. LXXXVII, no. 4, 939. South Australia. 17 August 1944. p. 35. Retrieved 14 February 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Successful Teacher of Music". Glenelg Guardian. Vol. XV, no. 814. South Australia. 20 December 1928. p. 4. Retrieved 14 February 2024 – via National Library of Australia.