Agent TypePersonActivities & OccupationsBotanistsGenderMaleHistoryWalter Wilson Mayne BSci (hons); founding member, Institute of Biology (Britain) 1950; Fellow Institute of Biology (Britain); Fellow Australian Institute of Biology (on formation); Honorary Fellow, Ross Institute of Tropical Hygiene. Born in Barry, South Wales on 16 February 1906. His father, William Hart Mayne was a retail ironmonger. (Walter) Wilson Mayne married Margaret Irene Nicholas (d. 1971 ), and then Mary Ashworth Jones in 1972.
Wilson Mayne attended the local County secondary schools from 1918-1924 and then University College of South Wales and Monmouthshire, where he completed a Bachelor of Science in 1924, with First Class Honours in Botany, with Zoology and Chemistry as subsidiaries. He was offered a scholarship for post-graduate study but did not pursue a further degree. Mayne obtained his first scientific appointment as Coffee Scientific Officer with the United Planters' Association of South India (UPASI), as their representative at the Mysore State Coffee Research Station at Balehonnur. Between l94l and 1946 Mayne also undertook various administrative and advisory duties with UPASI, acting as the Secretary from 1943-1946. After the war he commenced as the Scientific Officer and Political Advisor for Kenan Devan Hills Produce Co., the Indian subsidiary responsible for the South Indian plantations of James Finlay and Co., Ltd. Glasgow. He was appointed General Manager of the Estates of South India for the James Finlay company in 1955-1961. His scientific work was concentrated on research into, and advice about the prevention and treatment of leaf diseases in coffee and tea. His research also laid the groundwork for long term selection of strains of coffee which were more productive and disease resistant.
In 1961 Mayne returned to England and was appointed Non-Executive Director of the Boards of James Finlay planting companies. The following year he was awarded an 0.B.E., primarily for his service to the British community of planters in South India. He retired from the Company Boards in 1976, and migrated to Australia with his second wife in 1980, residing in Albury until his death in 1997. ln Australia, he continued active participation in community life, extending his activities to writing and adult education, and maintaining his professional interests in botany and the sciences in general, as well as the political life of India.
![[2017.0001] PAPERS OF WALTER WILSON MAYNE AND MARY HARRIS](/img/placeholder.gif?1761251355 "[2017.0001] PAPERS OF WALTER WILSON MAYNE AND MARY HARRIS")