Vincent Charles Illing (24 September 1890 – 16 May 1969) was a geologist at the Royal School of Mines, London where he specialized in petroleum geology. Illing was born in Jalandhar in India to Annie Payton and Thomas Illing who served in the army. He was schooled there before moving to Malta where his father was posted. His father retired to England and they lived in Nuneaton where he, aged thirteen, went to the King Edward VI Grammar School. He received a scholarship and went to Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge. He initially considered entering the Indian Civil Service but was drawn into science by the lectures of W.G. Fearnsides. He received a Harkness Scholarship, and while an undergraduate, he examined the Cambrian trilobites at Hartshill near his home. He joined as a demonstrated in