Charles Francis Laseron
Charles Francis Laseron | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 6, 1887 Manitowoc, Wisconsin, United States |
| Died | June 27, 1959 (aged 71) |
| Occupation(s) | Naturalist, malacologist, museum worker, antique dealer, auctioneer |
| Years active | 1906–1944 |
| Known for | Member of Australasian Antarctic Expedition; works on Australian natural history |
Charles Francis Laseron (6 December 1887 – 27 June 1959) was a naturalist and malacologist who was born in the United States but made his career in Australia.
Early life and education
Laseron was born in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, to English parents Reverend David Laseron and Frances Bradley. The family relocated to London in 1888, then emigrated to Australia in 1891. After his father suffered a gunshot injury in 1892 that resulted in chronic health problems, they settled in Lithgow, New South Wales, where his father assumed responsibility for a parish.
Charles received his education at St Andrew's Cathedral School as both a scholar and chorister. He later obtained a diploma in geology from Sydney Technical College. In July 1906, he began working at the Technological Museum (currently known as the Powerhouse Museum) and contributed multiple scientific articles.
Australian Antarctic Expedition
Laseron was a member of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition under the leadership of Sir Douglas Mawson. On 10 November 1912, he joined a sledging party with Frank Hurley, Bob Bage, Eric Webb, Herbert Murphy, and John Hunter departing from their base camp. He served within the support group responsible for establishing a supply depot before returning on 22 November 1912.
War service
With the outbreak of World War I, Laseron enlisted in the First Australian Imperial Force on 9 September 1914. He departed Melbourne in December aboard the SS Ulysses. Serving with the 13th Battalion, he took part in the Gallipoli Campaign and sustained injuries at Anzac Cove on 27 April 1915. Following three months of hospitalization in England, he was discharged due to medical unfitness.
Later life
After being discharged, Laseron resumed work at the museum focusing on geology and later on applied art. He advocated for establishing a formal collection but left in 1929 after failing to achieve this goal, subsequently founding his own business specializing in antiques and auctioneering. During World War II, he worked as a map reading instructor until his medical discharge in 1944.
Laseron passed away on 27 June 1959 at Concord Repatriation General Hospital. He was survived by his wife Mary, whom he married on 22 March 1919, along with their children.
Works
- An Autobiography, Sydney, 1904
- From Australia to the Dardanelles, 1916
- South with Mawson, 1947
- The Face of Australia, 1953
- Ancient Australia, 1954