Painter, designer, illustrator and teacher, born in Cardiff. His wife Sadie Allen and daughter Ceri Allen were both artists. He studied at the School of Art there, 1942–4, then was in His Majesty’s forces until 1948, resuming studies at Royal College of Art, 1949–52, in 1952–3 taking up a Major Travelling Scholarship to Spain, France, Italy, Sicily and North Africa. From the early 1950s taught for many years at Carlisle College of Art and Design. As well as extensive group shows Allen had some solo exhibitions, starting in 1946 at the Chinese Art Gallery, Hong Kong, followed by Howard Roberts Gallery in Cardiff and Border Gallery, Carlisle. With his wife he held nine joint shows in Britain and abroad. He provided illustrations for the publication The Story of Carlisle.