Helen Gwynne-Vaughan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dame Helen Gwynne-Vaughan
|
|
|---|---|
_in_France,_Dame_Helen_Gwynne-Vaughan,_GBE._Art.IWMART3048.jpg)
Portrait by William Orpen, 1918
|
|
| Birth name | Helen Charlotte Isabella Fraser |
| Born | 21 January 1879 |
| Died | 26 August 1967 (aged 88) |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
Auxiliary Territorial Service |
| Rank | Director |
| Unit | First Chief Controller, Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps (QMAAC) in France |
| Commands held | Women's Royal Air Force |
| Spouse(s) | David Thomas Gwynne-Vaughan |
Dame Helen Charlotte Isabella Gwynne-Vaughan (born Fraser; 21 January 1879 – 26 August 1967) was an important English scientist who studied plants (a botanist) and fungi (a mycologist). She also played a big role in the British military during both the First and Second World Wars.
During the First World War, she served in the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps. Later, from 1918 to 1919, she was the leader of the Women's Royal Air Force (WRAF). In the Second World War, from 1939 to 1941, she was the Chief Controller of the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS).
Contents
Early Life and Education
Helen Charlotte Isabella Fraser was born on 21 January 1879 in Westminster, London, England. Her father was an Army Captain. Her mother was a novelist and worked for Princess Beatrice of the United Kingdom.
Because her stepfather was a diplomat, Helen lived in many different countries when she was young. She was mostly taught by private teachers called governesses. From 1895 to 1896, she went to Cheltenham Ladies' College, a school for girls in Cheltenham.
In 1899, she started studying at King's College London in London. She was one of the first female students there to study botany (plants) and zoology (animals). She earned her first degree, a Bachelor of Science (BSc), in 1904 from the University of London. She continued her studies and received a higher degree, a Doctor of Science (DSc), in 1907.
Career Paths
Studying Plants and Fungi
After getting her first degree, Helen worked as a demonstrator (someone who helps teach in a lab) at University College London. She then moved to Royal Holloway College in 1905 to work with another botanist, Margaret Jane Benson. She became an assistant teacher there in 1906.
In 1907, she earned her DSc degree for her research on how fungi reproduce. She then became a lecturer (teacher) in botany at University College, Nottingham. In 1909, she became the head of the botany department at Birkbeck College, London. She took a break from her academic work from 1917 to 1919 to serve in the First World War.
After the war, she returned to Birkbeck College. In 1921, she became a Professor of Botany. She continued her important research on how fungi pass on their traits (fungal genetics). She led the botany department from 1921 to 1939 and again from 1941 to 1944. She retired from full-time teaching in 1944.
Military Service
In 1917, during the First World War, Helen was made Controller of the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps in France. This was a big responsibility. For her excellent service, she was the first woman to receive a special military award called a DBE in January 1918. From September 1918 to December 1919, she also served as the Commandant (leader) of the Women's Royal Air Force (WRAF).
When the Second World War began in 1939, Gwynne-Vaughan was appointed Chief Controller of the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS). This was a women's branch of the British Army. She held this important role until 1941.
Other Important Work
Helen Gwynne-Vaughan was also interested in making a difference in society. While at Royal Holloway College, she helped start the University of London Suffrage Society. This group worked to gain voting rights for women.
She also tried to become a politician. She ran for a local council position in London in 1922, but she was not elected. She also ran to become a Member of Parliament for the Unionist party in the general elections of 1922, 1923, and 1924, but she did not win.
Gwynne-Vaughan was very active in the Girl Guides movement. She received the Silver Fish award, which is a high honour in Girl Guiding. In 1930, she led the Guides' Sixth World Conference. At this meeting, the rules for the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts were agreed upon, and Olave Baden-Powell was chosen as the World Chief Guide.
After she retired in 1944, she worked full-time as an unpaid secretary for a group that helped soldiers, sailors, and air force members and their families. She did this until 1962.
Personal Life
In 1911, Helen married David Thomas Gwynne-Vaughan. He was also a botanist and had been the head of the botany department at Birkbeck College before her. Sadly, her husband died from tuberculosis in 1915, after only four years of marriage. They did not have any children.
Awards and Recognition
Helen Gwynne-Vaughan received many honours for her work. In 1919, she was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) for her great service during the war. This meant she was given the title Dame. In 1929, she was promoted to a higher honour, Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE), for her public and scientific contributions.
She was chosen to be a member of the Linnean Society in 1905, which is a famous group for natural scientists. She also received their Trail Medal in 1920. In 1928, she was the president of the British Mycological Society, a group for people who study fungi.
Two types of fungi have been named after her: Palaeoendogone gwynne-vaughaniae and Pleurage gwynne-vaughaniae.
In March 2020, English Heritage placed a blue plaque on the house in Bloomsbury, London, where she lived for almost 50 years. This plaque honours important people and places in history.
Images for kids
-
A robot for kids.
