Background
Allen was born 25 November 1792 in Pimlico, London and entered the Royal Navy as Volunteer 1st Class on H.M.S.Naiad in 1804.
Allen was born 25 November 1792 in Pimlico, London and entered the Royal Navy as Volunteer 1st Class on H.M.S.Naiad in 1804.
Died 23 January 1864 in Bank House, Weymouth, Dorset, buried Melcombe Regis, Dorset 30 January 1864
He was involved in fighting the African slave trade, and took part in three expeditions to West Africa: in 1832 he went up the River Niger with Richard Lemon Lander and Macgregor Laird, and he also commanded a vessel in the Niger expedition of 1841. He was an artist and painted scenes of his travels. His maps of the River Niger enabled the remaining ships crews to sail safely back to sea after many were lost due to fever.
Allen collected the type specimen of Allen"s gallinule (a small waterbird) near the River Niger.
He was a Fellow of the Royal Society.
Royal Society.