Alan Villiers
Alan John Villiers, DSC (23 September 1903 – 3 March 1982) was a writer, adventurer, photographer and mariner.
Alan Villiers | |
|---|---|
Alan Villiers aboard the Grace Harwar in 1929 | |
| Born | Alan John Villiers 23 September 1903 Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Died | 3 March 1982 (aged 78) Oxford, Oxfordshire, England |
| Occupation | journalist, sailor, author |
| Language | English |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Citizenship | Australian / British |
| Years active | 1928-1965 |
| Notable works | Whalers of the Midnight Sun |
| Notable awards | Children's Book of the Year Award: Older Readers 1950 |
Born in Melbourne, Australia, Villiers first went to sea at age 15 and sailed on board traditionally rigged vessels, including the full-rigged ship Joseph Conrad. He commanded square-rigged ships for films, including Moby Dick and Billy Budd. He also commanded the Mayflower II on its voyage from the United Kingdom to the United States.
Villiers wrote 44 books, and served as the Chairman (1960–70) and President (1970-74) of the Society for Nautical Research, a Trustee of the National Maritime Museum, and Governor of the Cutty Sark Preservation Society. He was awarded the British Distinguished Service Cross as a Commander in the Royal Naval Reserve during the Second World War.