Abstract
Abstract The Geological Society of London was founded in 1807. In May 1919, the first female Fellows were elected to the Society, 112 years after its foundation. This Special Publication celebrates this centenary. A total of 18 papers have been gathered to highlight recent research, carried out by 24 authors. The publication also builds on stories introduced in a previous Special Publication of the Geological Society, The Role of Women in the History of Geology , edited by Burek and Higgs in 2007, the first book to deal solely with this topic, and in an article by Burek, ‘The first female Fellows and the status of women in the Geological Society of London’, in 2009. It fills in some of the gaps in knowledge with detail that has only recently been uncovered, leading to more in-depth analysis and reporting. The current publication includes more examples from the twentieth century, and a small number into the present century, allowing some trends to be identified. The collective work is finding connections previously undocumented and in danger of being lost forever owing to the age of the interviewees. The same work also identifies several common challenges that female geoscientists faced, which are still evident in the current investigations. By building on what went before, filling gaps in knowledge and enriching the histories, interesting nuanced insights have emerged.
Highlights
100 years of female Fellows NameMargaret Cavendish Bentinck, Duchess of Portland Louisa Thynne Finch, Countess of Aylesford Etheldred Benett Elizabeth PhilpotMary Somerville Maria Graham Charlotte Murchison Sarah Bowdich Mary Morland Barbara, Marchioness of Hastings Eliza Gordon Cumming Elizabeth Anderson Gray Baroness Anna Allnutt Brassey Phoebe Anna TraquairGertrude WoodwardMary Jane Longstaff née Donald Catherine Raisin Margaret Chorley Crosfield Alice WoodwardDame Maria Matilda Ogilvie Gordon Ethel Skeat (Mrs Woods) Ethel Mary Reader Wood (Dame Shakespear)Gertrude Elles Harriett Mary Hutton Mary Sophia Johnston Eileen BarnesPhoebe Selina Walder Eleanor Violet Colebrook Hilda Kathleen Hawkes Nelly Hooper Ludbrook Dorothy Hill Dorothy Helen Rayner Mary Leakey Natalia Sarsadskhih Dates Chapter author
Gertrude Elles, one of the first female Fellows, was an early academic and the first female to be appointed Reader at the University of Cambridge (Tubb and Burek 2020). She gained this recognition for her detailed work which included the Monograph of Graptolites (Elles and Wood 1901–18). She influenced a large number of geology students both male and female and, like others in the twentieth century, such as Mabel Tomlinson and Janet Watson, was responsible for ensuring that a future generation of geologists was primed for successful careers
The research captured in this Special Publication highlights common themes in the personal and professional circumstances of early female geoscientists
Summary
100 years of female Fellows twentieth centuries has not changed the conclusions of Burek and Higgs (2007b), but has allowed new insights into the issues women faced in their pursuit of a career and recognition for their discoveries. Trends from the nineteenth century to the present can be discerned and show that, recognition of women geoscientists has occurred, it came late and was met with resistance. The early women who were recognized by the Geological Society through Fellowship, Funds and Medals began to change the perception of women as geologists and are worthy of their place in the history of the science. This Geological Society recognition was important for their status, self-esteem and career, and they were role models for women who came later. There is still a long way to go, but without them the path would be longer
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
