Fleure was born in Guernsey. He had a long association with University of Wales, Aberystwyth, as a student, 1897-1901, and then after study at the Zoological Institute, Zürich, 1902-1904, successively as Lecturer, Head of Department and Professor in Zoology, Geology, Geography and Anthropology, 1904-1930. He was Professor of Geography, Manchester University, 1930-1944. He served the Geographical Association as Honorary Secretary, 1917-1946, and President, 1948, and was President of the Royal Anthropological Institute, 1945-1947. His research interests were exceptionally wide-ranging as the disciplines of the departments he headed suggests - from the purely biological studies of some of his early researches through the physical anthropology and human geography which he continued to pursue in active retirement. He was elected FRS in 1936.
From the guide to the Papers and correspondence of Herbert John Fleure, 1869-ca 1970, (National Library of Wales, Department of Manuscripts and Records)
