Frank Hansford-Miller

English politician and author (1916–2008)

Frank Hansford-Miller (26 November 1916 – 21 February 2008) was a politician and prolific author in both England and Australia.

His Childhood and early life

Born in London, Hansford-Miller studied at Colfe's Grammar School before serving in the Royal Artillery during World War II. After the war, he studied statistics at University College London and King's College London. His studies were interrupted by tuberculosis of the spine.[1] He began working as a maths teacher and engaged in a lengthy dispute over the rejection of his PhD by the University of London External Programme. In 1969, he instead gained a PhD from the "National University of Canada", a degree mill.[2] He was also elected as a Fellow of the Royal Statistical Society.[1]

Fellowship details about the Royal Statistical Society

About the Fellowship

The Frank Hansford-Miller Fellowship is offered biennially by the Western Australian Branch of the Statistical Society of Australia as a way of fostering links between our society and the UK statistical society. Frank left a bequest to the WA Branch to finance and help foster such links between WA and the UK. Before retiring at the age of 65 he attended many meetings of the Royal Statistical Society (RSS) of which he was a member, where he was known to take an active part in the discussion of read papers as presented in the RSS.

On retiring he came to Perth, Western Australia to be with his wife’s family, including three nephews. Frank subsequently took up tutoring statistics on a casual basis at UWA, and later at Murdoch University and the then Western Australian Institute of Technology before it became Curtin University. Frank also became an active member of the Statistical Society of Australia Western Australia branch. Frank’s passion was Applied Statistics. Its relevance to society and the life of the country that he was in. Firstly in the UK, and secondly in his adopted country of Australia.

The Frank Hansford-Miller Fellowship supports the appointment of a fellow from the UK to come to Perth, usually for a period of two weeks. To present a talk to the WA Branch of the Statistical Society of Australia. The fellow is also encouraged to visit universities and/or institutes in Perth and present a workshop.

What is Expected of the Fellow?

It is expected that the appointed fellow will:

  • Deliver a talk on their stated area of expertise to the WA Branch of the Statistical Society of Australia.
  • Engage in collaborative activities such as: (1) meet with Early Career and Student Statisticians (e.g., informal dinner); (2) visit WA universities and/or research institutes.
  • Ideally present a workshop on their preferred topic to the WA statistical community.

Political Career

In 1966, Hansford-Miller founded the John Hampden New Freedom Party[3] and, during the 1970s, he wrote a biography of John Hampden.[4] In 1974, Hansford-Miller renamed the group the "English National Party", intending to parallel the success of Plaid Cymru and the Scottish National Party.[3] He stood unsuccessfully under this label in numerous elections. The party achieved greater prominence in 1976. That time it was joined by John Stonehouse, a Labour Party Member of Parliament who had faked his own death and spent time on remand in prison. Hansford-Miller welcomed the press to his garden shed and served them home-brewed beer.[5] During this period, he organized St George's Day rallies in Trafalgar Square, which he addressed while wearing a Beefeater costume,[6] and attempted to get an English national dress selected.

However, he left the party around 1980, following internal disputes.[7] At the 1981 Greater London Council election, Hansford-Miller and his wife instead stood for the Abolition of Rates Coalition.[3]

Around this time, Hansford-Miller emigrated to Australia,[8] settling in Perth, where he began tutoring at the University of Western Australia, Murdoch University , and Curtin University.

His other interests

He took up marathon running and race walking,[1] setting a state record for the over-85 2000 meters walk.[9] He also wrote prolifically, publishing more than 50 books,[10] learned to play the digeridoo,[7] and recorded music under the stage name "Frisky Frank".[1]

Hansford-Miller never had children, and attracted attention in 2001 by campaigning to be cloned, complaining that, while "reproductive technology" for women was available, there was no help available for him to reproduce.[8]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Brenton R. Clarke, "An Interview with Frank Hansford-Miller Archived 28 February 2017 at the Wayback Machine", SSAI Newsletter, Number 101 (November 2002)
  2. ^ Science Journal, Volume 6 (1970), p.7
  3. ^ a b c David Boothroyd, Politico's Guide to the History of British Political Parties, pp.87-88
  4. ^ Roy Bailey, "Firm foundation: How the John Hampden Society began Archived 27 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine", John Hampden Society
  5. ^ Ben Hills, "Stonehouse flying his new colours", The Age, 28 April 1976, pp.8-9
  6. ^ David McKie, "Bring your own party Archived 5 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine", The Guardian, 3 March 2005
  7. ^ a b Stephen Edwards, "Dr Frank Hansford-Miller MSc PhD FRGS FSS", The Patriot, No.55 (Summer 2008)
  8. ^ a b "Australian man begs to be cloned Archived 8 November 2002 at the Wayback Machine", BBC News, 15 March 2001
  9. ^ "State Records - 12 March 2010" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 July 2011. Retrieved 29 March 2010.
  10. ^ "Cloning Frank Archived 19 December 2009 at the Wayback Machine", Catalyst, ABC1, 18 April 2002