RIP Michael McCarthy, KCHS, SHA
01/01/2009
Michael Francis McCarthy KCHS SHA, died suddenly on 3 August 3 2007. His loss, at the age of only 57, was keenly felt by his many friends and by those who knew him as a heraldic artist and writer of increasing international reputation.
Born in Millicent, South Australia, he regarded Tasmania as “home”, having grown up there and attended Savio College in Glenorchy. The island state provided inspiration for his arms, assumed in 1975: Azure two Tasmanian tigers (Thylacines) statant Or, marked Sable. For crest a dragon Argent armed Or enragent of a flame proper supporting on a tilting spear Or a banner depicting Argent a stag trippant Gules attired Or.
He established Thylacine Press in 1998 in order to publish works on ecclesiastical heraldry, producing such works as:
- An Armorial of the Catholic Hierarchy in Australia,
- Two two volumes of Cardinals’ arms,
- An armorial illustrating the see arms of many of the Catholic, Anglican and Lutheran sees throughout the world,
- A handbook of ecclesiastical heraldry,
- A Papal armorial, and
- An eclectic collection of illustrations and text on the theme of dragons and their kin.
Made a Knight of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre in 2002, he was recently elevated to the rank of Knight Commander (KCHS). He was also made a Craft Member of the Society of Heraldic Arts.
The Australian Heraldry Society (formerly Heraldry Australia Inc.) has established an occasional lecture titled the Michael Francis McCarthy Memorial Lecture. The inaugural lecture will be held in 2009.