Alfred James Wilmott


Alfred James Wilmott, or Arthur "Willie" James Wilmott or similar in some sources, was primarily an English botanist and museum curator. His author standard form is Wilmott and his area of interest was spermatophytes. He was also an English international table tennis player.

Early life

His father was an academic who taught at Homerton Training College. Wilmott entered St John's College, Cambridge and graduated from University in 1910. His mentor was Charles Edward Moss.

Botany

Wilmott had an interest in Salicornia. He was the Deputy Keeper of Botany at what was then the British Museum. He worked at the museum from 1911 being promoted to Deputy Keeper in 1931 and specialized in the taxonomy of British flora. He wrote articles for the Journal of Botany.

Sport

He won a bronze medal at the 1939 World Table Tennis Championships in the Swaythling Cup with Ken Hyde, Hyman Lurie, Ken Stanley and Ernest Bubley. He received the title for the Veteran Singles Champion in 1934-1935. In table tennis he also introduced a method for testing table tennis balls.
A national league competition 'The Wilmott Cup'was named after him.