William de Wiveleslie Abney (1843–1920)

Civil servant and photographic scientist. Lieutenant in the Royal Engineers, 1861; captain, 1873. Assistant instructor, telegraphy, School of Military Engineering, 1871; assistant instructor, photography and surveying, 1874. Inspector of science schools, Department of Science and Art, South Kensington, 1877; assistant director for science, 1884; director, 1893. Principal assistant secretary, Board of Education, 1899. Published on photography and colour theory; pioneer in infra-red spectroscopy. FRS 1876.