The Knysna Historical Society will be presenting an illustrated talk on Professor John Phillips, who was appointed in 1922 as the first Forestry Research Officer to the Knysna Forest. You will learn more about life at Deepwalls Forest Station in the 1920’s. This will take place in the Activities Room at the Knysna Library at 17h00 on Thursday 2 August 2012.

His brilliant research into the Knysna Forest ecosystem earned him his Doctorate in Science from the University of Edinburgh.

The talk will present his colourful ancestry, his years as a student forester, his posting to the Knysna Main Forest with his young wife and a growing family, their experiences there, as recorded in the memoirs of his wife Jeanie Phillips, important visitors to the Forest Station, and the naming of the King Edward VII (big Yellowwood) tree.

His influence in the protection of the Knysna Elephant will be mentioned as will his later life as an internationally recognised scientist.

You are most welcome to attend.

Kind regards,

The Committee of the Knysna Historical Society.