Porphyrio alleni Thomson, 1842 (2 Viewers)

[Taphrospilus]

Porphyrio alleni Thomson, 1842 OD v.10=no.62-66 (1842) - The Annals and magazine of natural history - Biodiversity Heritage Library
No direct dedication. But from tile page 1 - A narrative of the expedition sent by Her Majesty's Government to the River Niger, in 1841 under the command of Captain H.D. Trotter - Biodiversity Heritage Library I would agree to William Allen.

The Eponym Dictionary of Birds

Allen's Gallinule Porphyrio alleni Thomson, 1842
Rear-Admiral William Allen (1793-1864) was an English naval officer who was involved in fighting the African slave trade. He led three expeditions to Africa (two 1832, one 1841), allt the Niger. Allen collected the gallinule type specimen at Idda, near the River Niger. Two mammals are named after him.

The Key to Scientific Names - Birds of the World

Species accounts for all the birds of the world.

birdsoftheworld.org

Rear-Adm. William Allen (1793-1864) Royal Navy, who took part in the Niger Expeditions 1832, 1841-1842 (Porphyrio).

Björn recently reported that Mearns & Mearns 2022 have him as:

William Allen (1793–1864), ... "... British naval officer ..."

If Wikpedia is correct William Allen (Royal Navy officer) - Wikipedia he was

b. 25 November 1792 in Weymouth, Dorset d. 23 January 1864 in Weymouth

Date came from Allen, William (1792–1864), naval officer and writer

Not birds:
Sciurocheirus alleni Waterhouse, 1838 OD pt.4-8 (1836-1840) - Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London - Biodiversity Heritage Library

The animal here described was presented to the Zoological Society by Lieut. Wm. Allen, R.N., Corres. Memb.

Hylomyscus alleni (Waterhouse 1838) OD pt.4-8 (1836-1840) - Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London - Biodiversity Heritage Library

I have named the species after Lieut. W. Allen, R.N., Corr. Mem. by whom it was discovered and presented to the Zoological Society.

If 1792 is correct may a point to discuss.

 

[James Jobling]

I took Allen's dates from Concise Dictionary of National Biography, ed. 2, reprinted, 1953, p. 18.

 

[Taphrospilus]

Death record tells us only that he was 71 years old. So as he died 23 January 1864 there is indeed a good chance that he was born 1792. And there is a record (not seen)

Name	William Allen
Gender	Male
Baptism Date	25 Nov 1792
Baptism Place	All Saints,Chichester,Sussex,England
Father	Peter Allen
Mother	Harriet
FHL Film Number	504430

But I have no idea if it is him. Here William Allen born Pimlico, London. And https://weymouthtowncouncil.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Parish-Records-1856-1996.pdf p. 8 and The Gentleman's Magazine and Historical Review. I would clearly go for 1792 especially with what's written in The Genleman's Magazin.

 

[l_raty]

Death record tells us only that he was 71 years old. So as he died 23 January 1864 there is indeed a good chance that he was born 1792. And there is a record (not seen)

Name	William Allen
Gender	Male
Baptism Date	25 Nov 1792
Baptism Place	All Saints,Chichester,Sussex,England
Father	Peter Allen
Mother	Harriet
FHL Film Number	504430

But I have no idea if it is him.

He's generally said to be born in Dorset (where he also died), which indeed makes a baptism record from Sussex a bit suspect...
And it's a very common name.

 

[Taphrospilus]

Sure mentioned that record as it was the only matching with 25 Nov 1892 I could find.

 

[Taphrospilus]

I took Allen's dates from Concise Dictionary of National Biography, ed. 2, reprinted, 1953, p. 18.

So the questions remains if Oxford Dictionary of National Biography Allen, William (1792–1864), naval officer and writer from 2004 or Concise Dictionary of National Biography, ed. 2, reprinted, 1953 is more reliable.


Regarding my last post typo. I meant 1792. Sorry about that.