Educated at Downside and Imperial College, London before entering the scientific Civil Service as an analytical chemist. His contribution to our knowledge and understanding of the British Coleoptera was prodigious. From 1935 when, at the age of twenty-two, he published his first article in the Entomologists's Monthly Magazine listing several hundred less common beetles which he had found in southern England and Wales (earliest recorded capture 1931), and 1937 when his first article in the Entomologist's Record was published, until 1981, no fewer than 823 further notes and articles appeared in these two magazines. Later, many further publications took the total to past 1,000. Although some were devoted to the Heteroptera, Diptera (excluding Nematocera) and some Microlepidoptera, the majority were about Coleoptera. During the course of his work he added some 46 beetles to the British list and described 13 species as new to science four of which have survived: Aleochara phycophila (1937) Acrotona benicki (1940), Scraptia testacea (1940) and Longitarsus fowleri (1967). Trachyphloeus alleni (Donisthorpe, 1948, later synonymised with T. asperatus (Boheman)) and Corticaria alleni Johnson 1974, were named after him .
Allen confined his interests to the British fauna and did most of his collecting in the southeast with particular success in the gardens of his houses at Blackheath and 49 Montcalm Road, Charlton, London SE7 8QG. His collection, which was acquired by the NHM after his death, was meticulously laid out and almost comprehensive, and includes a good many duplicates from the late P. Harwood (in all groups but especially perhaps Staphylinidae) from most parts of Britain. The Museum has digitally scanned all the drawers in high definition and will make these available on the internet. Incorporated within the collection is that of the late Harry Dinage of mainly Sussex material.
Allen was very private and retiring but well known to British Coleopterists and always very prompt and authoritative in dealing with enquiries, in most cases accompanied by lengthy notes on where and how he had found species and with useful tips for determinations. Numerous institutions and individuals are recorded to have received duplicates and to have correspondence including myself.
There are 32 pages of correspondence with Colin Johnson in Manchester University Natural History Museum (Box 15) dated 1979-1995.
There is a portrait photograph on the front cover of Coleopterist 2010: 19(3) provided by his friends of many years Mr and Mrs Ray Miller, and a brief obituary on p.150. No formal obituary has yet been published as far as I know. (Information from A.A. Allen). (MD 8/17, 1/22, 9/22)
Note: Should not be confused with Dr A.A. Allen interested in Lepidoptera and parasites.