Norman Francis Nelson (known as "N.F.") was born in Victoria in 1899. He moved to Queensland in 1929 to take over the newly created position of Organising Secretary for the Presbyterian Church's Welfare of Youth Committee. In 1936 the Presbyterian Church of Queensland commissioned Norman F Nelson to visit four Aboriginal mission stations administered by the Church in North Queensland (Mornington Island, Aurukun, Weipa and Mapoon) in order to make an inspection and evaluation of work and properties. He also visited Thursday Island. He was accompanied by J.T. Robinson. An exhibition organised by Norman F. Nelson of the photographs taken on the trip was held at City Hall, Brisbane in 1937. He was awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE - Civil) in the New Year's Honours List on 1 January 1965. Nelson died on 20 June 1977.