Harriet Morgan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Harriet Morgan
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Harriet Scott – Ash Island 1853
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| Born |
Harriet Scott
1830 |
| Died | 16 August 1907 (aged 76–77) Granville, Sydney, Australia
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| Nationality | Australian |
| Known for | natural history illustration |
| Spouse(s) | Dr Cosby William Morgan |
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| Relatives | Helena Scott (sister) |
Harriet Morgan (born Harriet Scott, 1830 – 16 August 1907) was a very important Australian artist in the 1800s. She was known for drawing natural history subjects, especially animals and plants. Along with her sister, Helena Scott, she might have been one of Australia's first professional female artists. This was quite rare for women back then! They were famous for their beautiful drawings of moths and butterflies. These drawings were used in their father's book, Australian Lepidoptera and Their Transformations.
Contents
Early Life and Learning
Harriet Scott was the daughter of Alexander Walker Scott. He was an entomologist, which means he studied insects. He was also an entrepreneur, a person who starts businesses. Harriet's mother was Harriet Scott (born Calcott).
Harriet was born in Sydney, Australia. She and her sister Helena grew up and learned on Ash Island. Their father taught them a lot about the natural world. They learned about Australian plants, animals, and insects.
Becoming a Professional Artist
Harriet's art was admired by many important scientists in Australia. She collected specimens for them and wrote letters to them. After her father's book, Australian Lepidoptera and their transformations, drawn from the life by Harriet and Helena Scott, was published, she became an honorary member of the Entomological Society of NSW. This was a special honor!
Even though she was talented, it was hard for women to work professionally back then. Her father faced money problems in the 1860s. At first, he didn't want his daughters to get paid for their art. He also didn't want them to sign their drawings or go to a formal art school.
However, when her father lost all his money, Harriet had to work. She drew and painted to earn money for the rest of her life. She even asked people to keep it a secret that she was being paid for her work. Harriet drew botanical illustrations (drawings of plants) for travel guides in 1879, 1884, and 1886. She and her sister also designed Australia’s very first Christmas cards in 1879.
Harriet married Dr Cosby William Morgan in 1882.
Later Life and Remembering Her Work
Harriet Morgan passed away in Granville in 1907. She did not have any children.
For a long time, Harriet and her sister Helena were not well-known. But in 2011, the Australian Museum in Sydney held an exhibition called Beauty from Nature: art of the Scott Sisters. This show helped people remember their amazing contributions to art and science.
Gallery
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A plate from Australian Lepidoptera and their transformations, drawn from the life
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The Koala, or Native Bear (Phascolarctos cinereus). [Plate VI] published in The mammals of Australia (1871): illustrated by Miss Harriett Scott, and Mrs. Helena Forde
See also
In Spanish: Harriet Morgan para niños
