Page:Dictionary of National Biography, Second Supplement, volume 1.djvu/57

This page needs to be proofread.
Allen
37
Allies

whom he remained until 1870. He was next employed as resident engineer to the Persian railways of Baron de Reuter and afterwards in supervising the construction of docks at Leith and at Boston, Lincolnshire. Meanwhile he was interested in archaeology, and to this pursuit, and particularly to the study of prehistoric antiquities and of pre-Norman art in Great Britain, he devoted the rest of his life. His earliest contribution to 'Archæologia Cambrensis' ('A description of some cairns on Barry Island') appeared in April 1873 ; he joined the Cambrian Archaeological Association in 1875, was elected a member of the general committee in 1877, became one of two editors of the 'Journal' in 1889, and was sole editor from 1892 until his death. Having begun with the antiquities of Wales, Allen from 1880 gave special attention to those of Scotland also ; in 1883 he was elected fellow of the Scottish Society of Antiquaries, and in 1885 was Rhind lecturer in archaeology in the University of Edinburgh. In England, he became F.S.A. in 1896, editor of the 'Reliquary and Illustrated Archæologist' in 1893; and Yates lecturer in archæology in University College, London, for 1898. Allen had in a high degree the patience, thoroughness, and insight of the scientific archæologist. Possessed of a certain sardonic humour, he was skilful in exposition and fertile in illustration. In knowledge of early Celtic art and ability to unravel its history he was without a rival. He was unmarried, and during his later years made his home in London, where he died on 5 July 1907. In addition to his numerous contributions to archaeological journals, Allen published: 1. 'Theory and Practice in the Designs and Construction of Dock Walls,' 1876. 2. 'Early Christian Symbolism in Great Britain and Ireland' (Rhind lectures), 1887. 3. 'The Monumental History of the Early British Church,' 1889. 4. 'The Early Christian Monuments of Scotland,' Edinburgh, 1903. 5. 'Celtic Art in Pagan and Christian Times,' 1904.

[Burke's Landed Gentry, llth edit. (1906); Who's Who, 1907; The Times, 13 July 1907; Archæologia Cambrensis, sixth series, vii., Oct. 1907, 441-2.]

J. E. L.


ALLEN, ROBERT CALDER (1812–1903), captain R.N., born on 8 Aug. 1812, was son of William Allen, a master in the navy and presumably a follower of Admiral Sir Robert Calder [q. v.]. He entered the navy as a second-class volunteer in July 1827. In that grade and as second master he served with credit, principally on the west coast of Africa and in China. In 1841 he was advanced to be master, and in 1842-4 was master of the Dido, with (Sir) Henry Keppel [q. v. Suppl. II], in her celebrated cruises against the Malay pirates of Borneo. In 1850-1 he was master of the Resolute in the Arctic, under Captain Austin, whom he followed from the Blenheim, and had charge of the magnetic observations. In 1854-5 he was master of the Hogue blockship in the Baltic, and rendered efficient service by his survey, often under fire, of the approaches to Bomarsund. In 1863 he was promoted to the then new rank of staff-commander, and in 1867 to that of staff-captain. In 1866-7 he was master-attendant and harbour -master at Malta; and in 1867 was appointed in the same capacity to Devonport, whence he was transferred to Deptford. When that dockyard was closed in October 1870, he retired with the rank of captain. He was a silent, thoughtful man, singularly modest and retiring. The subordinate position in which so much of his service was passed prevented his name from coming prominently before the public ; but in the navy his reputation as a sound and skilful navigator and pilot stood very high, and was officially recognised in his nomination to a C.B. in 1877. He died in London on 28 Jan. 1903.

Allen was twice married. His first wife brought him a daughter and four sons, who all entered the public service, navy, army, or marines. The second wife survived him.

[Royal Navy Lists; The Times, 31 Jan. 1903; Keppel, Expedition of H.M.S. Dido to Borneo for the Suppression of Piracy, 1846; Markham, Life of Sir Leopold McClintock, 1909; private information.]

J. K. L.


ALLIES, THOMAS WILLIAM (1813–1903), theologian, born at Midsomer Norton, Somerset, on 12 Feb. 1813, was son of Thomas Allies, then curate of Henbury and later rector of Wormington, by his wife Frances Elizabeth Fripp, daughter of a Bristol merchant. His mother died a week after his birth, and he was brought up by his father's second wife, Caroline Hillhouse. After education at Bristol grammar school he entered Eton in April 1827 under Edward Coleridge. There in 1829 he was the first to win the Newcastle scholarship. He matriculated at Wadham College, Oxford, in 1828, where he was exhibitioner from 1830-3, graduated B. A. with a first class in classics in 1832, proceeded M.A. in 1837, was fellow from 1833 till 1841, and humanity lecturer 1838-9.

Allies early came under the influence of