Ed Herbst writes: Arthur Cecil Harrison, was a founder member of the Cape Piscatorial Society in 1931 and its secretary and editor of its journal Piscator for almost half a century thereafter. Our most prolific mayfly species is named after him – Baetis harrisoni.
Arthur Cecil "A.C." Harrison guided the Society's destinies from its founding in 1931 until his death in 1980. Born in London in 1890, he came to South Africa with his father in 1917. During World War I he served as a platoon commander in the Cape of Good Hope Regiment and was wounded at the Battle of Delville Wood, one of the few to survive it.
His contribution to conservation and freshwater limnology earned him an honorary Master of Science from the University of Cape Town in June 1960. In the citation, University Orator Professor D. V. Cowan noted that for over 50 years Harrison had enriched the study of freshwater biology and fisheries, with an extensive body of scholarly work on trout, bass, eels, kurper, and other species. He had served as honorary secretary of the Cape Piscatorial Society since its founding, edited its journal, and spent over 20 years as Advisory Officer for Cape Inland Fisheries. Cowan also highlighted his war service and his role, since 1952, as secretary to the Advisory Committee for Nature Conservation, remarking on the rarity of people who work to keep society aware of nature amid industrialisation.
Harrison founded and edited Piscator, the Society's journal, from its first issue in March 1947. When the 100th edition appeared in December 1977, then-CPS President Dr. Frank Bradlow paid tribute to AC's courteous manner, dry humour, deep knowledge of nature and fishing, and the lasting impression he left on those who knew him.
Following Harrison's death in 1980, Bradlow wrote in his obituary that all who knew him, even slightly, benefited from his generosity and lack of jealousy; that he was unfailingly honest and straightforward in his dealings with others; and that his tireless enthusiasm for the Society never compromised his judgment.