Edith Layard Stephens facts for kids

Edith Layard Stephens (1884-1966) was an important South African botanist. She was an expert on algae (like seaweed) and fungi, especially mushrooms that you can eat or that are poisonous.

Discovering Edith Stephens' Early Life

Edith Layard Stephens was born in Cape Town, South Africa on December 6, 1884. Her father, Michael Stephens, was a chief superintendent for the Cape Government Railways. Her mother's name was Annie Hoskyn.

In 1901, Edith finished her studies at the Rustenburg School for Girls. This school is located in Rondebosch, Cape Town. She then went on to study at the South African College. This college later became the University of Cape Town.

Edith's University Studies and Awards

Edith earned her first degree, a Bachelor of Arts, from the University of Cape of Good Hope. This happened in the same year she started college. In 1906, she completed her BA degree with honours in botany.

She received a gold medal for science. She also won the Queen Victoria Scholarship. In 1907, she was awarded the 1881 Exhibition Scholarship. These awards helped her to study at Cambridge University in England.

Edith Stephens' Amazing Career and Achievements

In 1908, Edith published her first research paper. It was called A preliminary note on the embryo-sac and embryo of certain Penaeaceae. This paper was based on her studies from the South African College.

Even though Cambridge University did not give degrees to women at that time, Edith was recognized for her work. She was chosen as a fellow of the Linnean Society of London. This is a very respected group for natural scientists.

Returning to South Africa and Teaching

Around 1911, Edith Stephens came back to South Africa. In 1913, she worked as a temporary lecturer in botany at the South African College. She later became a full-time lecturer.

When the college became the University of Cape Town in 1918, she continued teaching there. She taught in the Department of Botany until she retired in 1940.

Later Work and Expertise

After retiring, Edith continued her important work. In 1952, she became an honorary reader in plant taxonomy at Bolus Herbarium. This means she helped identify and classify plants.

She focused on studying freshwater algae and fungi. She became very well-known for her two illustrated books. These books were about mushrooms that are safe to eat and those that are poisonous. She also contributed to the study of the Pennaeaceae plant family.

Edith remained an honorary reader in systematic botany until she passed away in 1966. She specialized in cryptogams, which are plants that reproduce using spores, like fungi and algae.

Awards and Lasting Legacy

In 1957, the Cape Tercentenary Foundation honored Edith Stephens. They gave her an award for helping to protect the natural plants and animals in the Cape region.

Edith used the money from this award to buy a piece of land. This area was called Isoetes Vlei. She then gave this land to the National Botanic Gardens. Today, it is known as the Edith Stephens Cape Flats Flora Reserve. This reserve helps protect unique plants.

Edith Stephens' Published Works

• Notes on the Aquatic Flora of South Africa, Cape Town : University of Cape Town, 1924.
• The Botanical Features of the South Western Cape Province Cape Town : Specialty Press of S.A. Ltd., 1929. (With Robert Harold Compton; Robert Stephen Adamson; Paul Andries van der Byl and Margaret R Levyns, Mrs.)
• Some South African Edible Fungi, Longmans, Green and Co., Cape Town, 1953
• Some South African Poisonous and Inedible Fungi, Longmans, Green and Co., Cape Town, 1953

See also

In Spanish: Edit Layard Stephens para niños