Theodore Thomson Flynn

Theodore Thomson Flynn MRIA (11 October 1883 – 23 October 1968) was an Australian zoologist and marine biologist and a professor in both Tasmania and the United Kingdom. He was the first biology professor in Tasmania. Flynn was the father of the actor Errol Flynn.

Biography
Theodore Thomson Flynn was born in Coraki, New South Wales, Australia, the son of Jessie B. (née Thomson) and John Flynn a cordial manufacturer. Flynn attended Fort Street High School and later went to Sydney Teachers' College at the University of Sydney and earned a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Biology in 1907. He later gained Doctor of Philosophy (D.Sc.) in 1921 for his work on marsupial embryology. Flynn began working as a chemistry and physics teacher at Newcastle High School and Maitland High School. He became a biology lecturer at the University of Tasmania in 1909, becoming the first biology professor in Tasmania. He later became a professor in 1911 and teaching there until 1930.

He married Lily Mary (Marelle) Young on 23 January 1909; they had two children together, a daughter Nora Rosemary Flynn, and a son, the film actor Errol Flynn. Flynn and his family then moved to Northern Ireland where he served as the Chair of Zoology at Queen's University of Belfast from 1931 to 1948; he also became director of the marine station at Portaferry.

After the Belfast Blitz, Flynn was the chief casualty officer for the city. On 1 January 1945, Flynn was awarded an Order of the British Empire for his service.

Flynn named one new species of sub-tropical kelpfish he discovered – Gibbonsia erroli – after his son.

Flynn died in Liss, Hampshire, England, on 23 October, 1968.

Legacy
Flynn Lake, Macquarie Island was named after Flynn.