Cynthia Longfield facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cynthia Longfield
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| Born | 16 August 1896 Belgravia, London, England
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| Died | 27 June 1991 (aged 94) Cloyne, Ireland
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| Known for | dragonfly expert |
Cynthia Evelyn Longfield (born August 16, 1896 – died June 27, 1991) was an amazing explorer and a scientist who studied insects. She was also the first woman to join a special group called the Entomological Society! She was super good at studying dragonflies, so people called her "Madame Dragonfly." She loved nature, especially dragonflies. She traveled all over the world and even wrote a book called The Dragonflies of the British Isles in 1937. She worked at the Natural History Museum in London, where she became the main expert on dragonflies, especially those from Africa.
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Cynthia Longfield's Early Life
Cynthia Evelyn Longfield was born on August 16, 1896, in London, England. Her family lived in a place called Castle Mary in Cloyne, Ireland. Sadly, their family home was burned down in 1920, but a new house was built on the same land.
Cynthia Longfield's Career and Adventures
Cynthia Longfield had a very exciting career!
Helping During Wartime
During World War I, she joined the Army Service Corps. Later, she worked in an aircraft factory. During World War II, she joined the Auxiliary Fire Service. She helped save the Natural History Museum from being destroyed by bombs in 1941. Her quick thinking likely saved many important collections!
Exploring the World
Cynthia loved to travel and explore.
- In 1921 and 1922, she visited South America, exploring the Andes mountains and Lake Titicaca.
- In 1923, she traveled to Egypt.
- In 1924, she went on a big research trip to the Pacific Ocean, including the Galapagos Islands. She sailed on a ship called the St George. On this trip, she helped collect different kinds of insects for the Natural History Museum in London. She even used machetes to cut through thick jungle to find specimens!
Becoming "Madame Dragonfly"
Cynthia became a member of the Entomological Society of London in 1925. She was the first woman to ever join this important group! She also joined the Royal Geographical Society in the same year.
She became a volunteer at the Natural History Museum. There, she was put in charge of studying dragonflies. In 1927, she went on a six-month trip to Brazil. She came back with 38 different types of dragonflies! Three of these had never been seen before. A new species of dragonfly, Corphaeschna longfieldae, was even named after her!
By 1937, Cynthia was known all over the world as an expert on dragonflies. She wrote her famous book, The Dragonflies of the British Isles. The book sold out very quickly, and that's how she got her nickname, "Madame Dragonfly." In 1948, she became an honorary associate at the Natural History Museum.
In 1979, she gave many of her dragonfly and damselfly specimens to the Royal Irish Academy. She also donated her notes and over 500 nature books. In 1983, she became the first Honorary Member of the British Dragonfly Society.
Later Life and Legacy
After she retired from the Natural History Museum, Cynthia Longfield moved back to her family's estate in Cloyne, Ireland, in 1957. She lived there until she passed away at the age of 96 on June 27, 1991. She was buried near her home.
Cynthia Longfield left behind an amazing legacy. The Longfield Roberts Collection is a special photo album that belongs to her. It has about 800 photos she took during her St George Expedition to the Pacific Islands in 1924 and 1925. These photos show the people, life on the ship, and the plants and animals of the Pacific Islands.
Images for kids
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Cynthia Longfield, the "Madame Dragonfly"
