Audrey Brooks facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Audrey Brooks
|
|
|---|---|
| Born | 3 October 1933 |
| Died | 18 January 2018 |
| Alma mater | University of Aberystwyth |
|
Notable work
|
Garden Pests and Diseases (Royal Horticultural Society's Encyclopaedia of Practical Gardening) |
Audrey Vera Brooks (1933-2018) was a British scientist who studied plants. She was a botanist, a plant pathologist (someone who studies plant diseases), and an author. She is especially known for her important work at the Royal Horticultural Society. She was the first woman to hold a senior, or high-level, position there.
Contents
Audrey Brooks' Life and Work
Audrey Brooks was born in Kent, England, in 1933. She loved learning about plants from a young age.
Early Life and Education
Audrey went to the University of Aberystwyth. There, she studied agricultural botany. This is a field of science that looks at how plants grow, especially those used in farming. It also covers how to keep them healthy.
Working at the Royal Horticultural Society
In 1957, Audrey started her career at the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). She began as an assistant plant pathologist at RHS Garden, Wisley. Her job was to help identify and understand diseases that affected plants.
By 1964, Audrey was promoted to a plant pathologist. This was a big step up! She worked hard to make sure her pay was fair, just like her male co-workers. Audrey continued to rise through the ranks at the RHS. She eventually became the senior plant pathologist. This meant she was in charge of studying plant diseases.
She also became the Education Officer. In this role, she helped oversee the exams for people studying horticulture (the art of garden cultivation). Audrey was a true pioneer, showing that women could achieve high positions in science.
Writing and Retirement
During her time at the Royal Horticultural Society, Audrey also shared her knowledge through writing. She edited the RHS Gardens Club Journal. She also wrote several books about plant diseases and problems. These books are still used today by students taking RHS qualifications.
Audrey Brooks retired from the Royal Horticultural Society in 1993.
Awards and Recognition
Audrey Brooks was recognized for her amazing contributions to plant science. In 1994, she received the Royal Horticultural Society Associate of Honour award. This is a special award given to people who have done outstanding work in horticulture.
