Allan Cownie obituary

My father, Allan Cownie, who has died aged 88, was a distinguished academic and scientist who became one of Manchester’s most respected artists. He was also an activist, an author and a Samaritan.

Allan was the son of Eric Cownie, an industrial chemist, and his wife, Catherine. He was born and brought up in Cardiff and at school showed early academic promise. His love of Wales was always evident. He graduated from Cardiff University with a degree in physics and went on to do a PhD in natural philosophy at the University of Glasgow.