Eily Keary facts for kids

Eily Keary (later known as Eily Smith-Keary) was an amazing British engineer who designed ships, machines, and even airplanes! She was one of the first women to join the Institution of Naval Architects, which is now called the Royal Institution of Naval Architects. She was also the very first woman to present her ideas and research papers to this important group. Eily lived from October 12, 1892, to October 19, 1975.

Eily's Early Life and Education

Eily Marguerite Leifchild Keary was born in London in 1892. She was one of five daughters. Her father, Peter Keary, owned newspapers and wrote popular self-help books. Her mother, Jessie Richards, was the daughter of a tailor.

Eily grew up in Wimbledon Park. She attended Roedean School from 1908 to 1911. In 1912, she started studying engineering at Newnham College, Cambridge. She planned to study with her sister Elsie Keary and another pioneering woman, Rachel Mary Parsons.

In 1915, Eily Keary became the first woman to earn top marks in the mechanical sciences course at Cambridge. However, at that time, women were not allowed to officially graduate from Cambridge University. She finally received her degree in 1925, ten years later.

Working at the National Physical Laboratory

After her studies at Cambridge, Eily worked briefly at a company in Lewisham. This company made instruments for telegraphs, electricity, and other engineering uses. Soon after, she joined the new William Froude Laboratory at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL). This lab was also known as the National Experiment Tank.

At the NPL, Eily began to work on designing parts for seaplanes, like their hulls and floats. She worked closely with George S. Baker, who was the supervisor there. Together, they wrote several important research papers between 1916 and 1923. These papers covered topics like testing model seaplane floats and even full-sized aircraft.

In 1918, Eily Keary became the first woman to co-author a paper presented to the Institution of Naval Architects. The paper was about how a ship's movement affects its stability. This important work was still being referenced many years later, even in 1988!

During the 1920s, Eily traveled to Canada and the USA. She continued her research in naval architecture, which is the science of designing ships. She also wrote her own papers about topics like flying boats and how rudders steer ships. Even after getting married in 1930, she continued to co-author papers on subjects like barges and how propellers work underwater.

Important Recognition for Eily

Eily Keary's amazing work led to her being recognized in many ways. In 1917, she was elected as the first female Associate Fellow of the Aeronautical Society of Great Britain. This was a huge achievement!

An NPL colleague also said that Eily designed the floats for a seaplane that won the famous Schneider Trophy. This was a very important air race.

After the First World War, Eily, along with Rachel Mary Parsons and Blanche Thornycroft, became one of the first three women to be associates of the Institution of Naval Architects. Later, she became a full member of this prestigious institution.

In 2019, the Royal Institution of Naval Architects created a special award named after Eily Keary. The Eily Keary Award is given every year to a person or group who helps make the maritime industry more equal and diverse.

Eily's Personal Life

Eily Keary married Frederick Edmund Smith-Keary in 1930. He was also a marine engineer. He changed his last name to Smith-Keary, and Eily also used this name after they were married.

They had a son in 1931. The family lived in Sussex, England, for some time. Later, they moved to Tasmania, Australia.

Eily Smith-Keary passed away at her home in Liverpool in 1975.