Women and the Natural Sciences in Edwardian Britain : In Search of Fellowship

This book tells the story of how women first fought for inclusion among scientific societies in Edwardian Britain. Though educational opportunities in schools and universities were improving, there were few fellowships or chances of paid employment in the sciences. Excluded from most scientific societies, women were deprived of not just the chance to share their scientific experiences with other enthusiasts but of mixing with and impressing potential employers. Barriers were overcome in many cases, but not in all. This book will explore the lives of individual women who were brave pioneers and by the outbreak of WWI had proved that they were the equals of men. Many at the heart of the struggle within the sciences were also involved in the fight for suffrage, their success in the sciences helping to change men's attitudes towards women. Preface: ‘Associations of Persons United by Some Common Interest’ 6 References 9 By the Same Author 10 Acknowledgements 11 Praise for Women and the Natural Sciences in Edwardian Britain 13 Contents 14 List of Figures 16 Chapter 1: Fellowship and a Woman’s Place in Edwardian Britain 19 Targets for Middle-Class Women 21 Fellowship and Women 22 Professionalization of the Natural Sciences 23 Demonstrating Their Worth 26 References 27 Chapter 2: Joining the Like-Minded. Societies and Meeting Places 29 Scientific and Learned Societies 30 Literary and Philosophical Societies 37 Field and Natural History Clubs 38 British Association for the Advancement of Science (BAAS) 43 Personal Connections 46 References 47 Chapter 3: Educational Opportunities for Girls and Women 50 Schools and Colleges 52 Higher Education 57 In Science: The Laboratory 60 In Science: Field Work 67 And When the Women ‘Graduated’? 71 References 73 Chapter 4: How Mrs Farquharson Triumphed but Was Excluded from a Glittering Occasion 76 Descended from a Protestant Martyr 76 Fighting on Behalf of Women in Science 81 Those on Her Side 84 Male Fellows of the Linnean 84 Women and the Wider Scientific Community 86 Those Against Her 88 A Glittering Occasion: Dinner at Princes’ Restaurant 92 Blemished Celebrations 93 An Offer Too Late 95 References 95 Chapter 5: Miss Sargant and a Botanical Web 98 Ethel Sargant, the Senior Woman 100 Learning About Plants 100 Family, Suffrage, and Politics 104 Protégées 108 Margaret Jane Benson, Professor, Royal Holloway College 110 Helen Charlotte Isabella Fraser, Dame Helen Gwynne-Vaughan 114 Emily Mary Berridge, Quiet and Unassuming 117 Henderina Victoria Scott, Time-Lapse Photographer 120 A Coherent Group? 124 References 127 Chapter 6: Approved by Mrs Farquharson? 129 Maria Matilda Ogilvie-Gordon, Dame, Alpine Geologist 130 Lilian Jane Veley, Steamboat Lady 133 Alice (Alick) Laura Embleton, a Poor Outsider 137 References 141 Chapter 7: Microbiology Learned Through Practice 143 Grace Coleridge Frankland, Water-Borne Diseases 143 Gulielma Lister, Slime Moulds 150 Annie Lorrain Smith, Pillar of the British Museum (Natural History) 155 References 158 Chapter 8: An Unavoidable Need for Male Support 160 Dukinfield Henry Scott, from a Famous Family of Architects 161 Francis Wall Oliver, from Kew to University College, London 164 William Bateson, Cambridge, Genetics, and Mendel 170 Dorothea Matilda Pertz 172 Edith Rebecca Saunders 173 References 176 Chapter 9: Diverse Paths to Dentistry, Exploration, and Wildlife Photography 179 Viola Annette Latham, Dentist and Doctor 179 Emilia Frances Noel, Botanist and Geographer 181 Lilian Suzette Gibbs, Explorer and Geographer 183 Lilian Jane Clarke, Innovative Teacher 183 Mary Russell, née du Caurroy Tribe, The Flying Duchess 186 What Do the Remaining Women Tell Us? 188 Emma Louisa Turner 194 References 198 Chapter 10: They Sought Fellowship but Did They Make Good Fellows? 200 What Had These Women in Common? 201 Wealth and Security 202 Marital Status 202 Geography 203 The People They Knew 204 Were They Good Fellows? 209 The Equals of Men 211 References 212 Appendix: The First Female Fellows of the Linnean Society 214 Bibliography 216 General Sources 216 References 216 Index 229 Front Matter ....Pages i-xix Fellowship and a Woman’s Place in Edwardian Britain (Peter Ayres)....Pages 1-10 Joining the Like-Minded. Societies and Meeting Places (Peter Ayres)....Pages 11-31 Educational Opportunities for Girls and Women (Peter Ayres)....Pages 33-58 How Mrs Farquharson Triumphed but Was Excluded from a Glittering Occasion (Peter Ayres)....Pages 59-80 Miss Sargant and a Botanical Web (Peter Ayres)....Pages 81-111 Approved by Mrs Farquharson? (Peter Ayres)....Pages 113-126 Microbiology Learned Through Practice (Peter Ayres)....Pages 127-143 An Unavoidable Need for Male Support (Peter Ayres)....Pages 145-163 Diverse Paths to Dentistry, Exploration, and Wildlife Photography (Peter Ayres)....Pages 165-185 They Sought Fellowship but Did They Make Good Fellows? (Peter Ayres)....Pages 187-200 Back Matter ....Pages 201-228 This book tells the story of how women first fought for inclusion in scientific societies in Edwardian Britain. Though educational opportunities in schools and universities were improving, there were few fellowships or chances of paid employment in the sciences. Excluded from most scientific societies, women were deprived of not just the chance to share their scientific experiences with other enthusiasts but of mixing with and impressing potential employers. Barriers were overcome in many cases, but not in all. The book explores the lives of individual women who were brave pioneers and by the outbreak of WWI had proved that they were the equals of men. Many at the heart of the struggle within the sciences were also involved in the fight for suffrage, their success in the sciences helping to change men's attitudes towards women