Vernon Victor Hickman (1894–1984) was an entomologist, born and resident in

Tasmania Tasmania (; palawa kani: ''Lutruwita'') is an island States and territories of Australia, state of Australia. It is located to the south of the Mainland Australia, Australian mainland, and is separated from it by the Bass Strait. The sta ...

, who became a leading authority on the spiders of Australia. The genus '' Hickmania'' and its formerly recognised family Hickmaniidae were named in tribute to the author. In 1979 Hickman was awarded the title

Officer of the Order of the British Empire The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding valuable service in a wide range of useful activities. It comprises five classes of awards across both civil and military divisions, the most senior two o ...

(OBE) "for service to zoological science and education". Hickman was proudest of the Anders Retzius medal, awarded in 1951, but said to be modest regarding his other achievements. Hickman was the eldest son of Pauline née Patterson and her husband, George Milford Hickman, a Tasmanian storekeeper. He was educated at the

University of Tasmania The University of Tasmania (UTAS) is a public research university, primarily located in Tasmania, Australia. Founded in 1890, it is Australia's fourth oldest university. Christ College (University of Tasmania), Christ College, one of the unive ...

and briefly lectured before enlisting to serve in first world war, returning from the experience of the Western Front with a psychological impact that remained throughout his life.Eric Guiler, 'Hickman, Vernon Victor (1894–1984)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/hickman-vernon-victor-12631/text22757, published first in hardcopy 2007, accessed online 9 May 2021. An early interest in invertebrates began with studies of ''

Anaspides tasmaniae ''Anaspides tasmaniae'' is a species of fresh water crustacean of the family Anaspididae found in Tasmania. It is also known by the common names "mountain shrimp" or "chris' pseudo-mantis". It has been described as a "living fossil". ''A. tasmani ...

'', known as the mountain shrimp, before pursuing a major focus on

arachnology Arachnology is the science, scientific study of arachnids, which comprise spiders and related invertebrates such as scorpions, Pseudoscorpionida, pseudoscorpions, Opiliones, harvestmen, Tick, ticks, and mites. Those who study spiders and other a ...

. Hickman's knowledge encompassed other organisms, including mammals, and was extended through lectures and chairs held throughout his career.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hickman, Vernon Victor Australian arachnologists Australian Officers of the Order of the British Empire 1894 births 1984 deaths People from Tasmania Australian entomologists