Eleanor Mary Reid facts for kids

Eleanor Mary Reid (born Eleanor Mary Wynne Edwards) (1860–1953) was a British scientist who studied ancient plants. This field is called palaeobotany. She worked closely with her husband, Clement Reid, who was also a botanist and geologist. Later, she teamed up with another scientist named Marjorie Chandler.

Early Life and Learning

Eleanor Mary Wynne Edwards was born on November 13, 1860. Her birthplace was Denbigh. Her parents were John and Maria Wynne Edwards.

She went to Westfield College in London, England. In 1892, she earned her science degree (BSc). Eleanor didn't start by studying ancient plants or fossils. Instead, she taught physics and math. She worked at the well-known Cheltenham Ladies College.

Her interest in prehistoric plant life began through her husband. She married Clement Reid in 1897. He was already an experienced botanist and paleontologist. Working together, Eleanor became one of the top female experts in geology.

Discovering Ancient Plants

Eleanor Reid became very interested in the fossilized remains of plants. She studied these with her husband, Clement Reid. They worked hard to show that ancient plants could be clearly identified. They published their findings together.

Their first book came out in 1899. It was called The Origin of the British Flora. This book focused on palaeobotany. Clement mentioned that Eleanor helped collect nearly 100 samples. These samples came from a deposit near West Wittering.

They were praised for proving that ancient plant life, called "floras," could be rebuilt. This was done using fossilized fruits and seeds.

More Books and Discoveries

Their second book was published in 1907. It was titled The Fossil Flora of Tegelen-sur-Meuse, near Venloo, in the Province of Limburg. This book also focused on palaeobotany. It also looked at the Pleistocene geological timescale. This is a period of Earth's history.

Their last book together came out in 1915. This was one year before her husband Clement Reid passed away. The book was called The Pliocene Floras of the Dutch-Prussian Border. It covered palaeobotany and the Pliocene geological timescale.

Working Alone and with Marjorie Chandler

Eleanor Reid kept studying ancient plants after her husband's death. She turned the attic of her home into her laboratory. This was in Milford-on-Sea.

In 1919, she received money from the Geological Society's Murchison fund. She then published her own important paper on Pliocene floras in 1920. That same year, she became one of only four women to join the Geological Society.

She also started a new scientific partnership and friendship. This was with Marjorie Chandler. Marjorie had earned a top degree in natural sciences from Cambridge University the year before. Marjorie worked as Reid's assistant for the next 40 years.

Research at the British Museum

Chandler and Reid researched prehistoric plants. They used the large collection at the British Museum. After six years, they published two books about palaeobotany.

Their first book, Catalogue of Cenozoic Plants in the Department of Geology, volume 1. The Bembridge Flora, came out in 1926. It described many Cenozoic plants. These were plants that grew historically on the Isle of Wight.

The second book in their series was The London Clay Flora. It was published in 1933. In both books, Reid used their findings to explain how the climate changed. This was during the Tertiary period. The changing plants found in different layers of rock showed this.

They found that the shapes of seeds and fruits changed over time. This gave new evidence of how plants evolved. Reid and Chandler's studies showed that the area now known as London was once a tropical forest! Reid also invented many new ways to get plant samples from materials like peat.

Awards and Achievements

Eleanor Reid received the Lyell Medal in 1936. This award was for her great discoveries in geology. It also recognized her new and clever techniques.

She also gratefully received the Murchison Fund in 1919. A year later, she became a Fellow of the Geological Society of London. Reid was known as a knowledgeable geologist. She met many other geologists who respected her work.

Later Life

After retiring, Eleanor Reid had more time for other interests. She served her church and visited schools. She enjoyed reading books by travel writers. She even cycled into her eighties!

Eleanor Reid passed away on September 28, 1953. She died from a cerebral thrombosis in Milford on Sea, Hampshire.

See also

In Spanish: Eleanor Mary Wynne-Edwards Reid para niños