Isobel Agnes Arbuthnot facts for kids

Isobel Agnes Arbuthnot (1870–1963) was an amazing Irish scientist. She was a botanist, which means she studied plants. She was also a botanical collector, gathering plant samples for scientific study. Most of her important work happened in South Africa.

Life and Work of Isobel Arbuthnot

Isobel Arbuthnot was born in Belfast, Ireland, in 1870. When she was 18, in 1888, she moved to Cape Colony in South Africa. She went there because of her health.

Starting Her Botanical Journey

In Cape Colony, Isobel began working with a famous botanist named Harry Bolus. She became a companion to his wife. This also allowed her to work as a botanical collector. She helped Harry Bolus on his plant-finding trips, called expeditions. On these trips, she helped collect and study different types of plants.

Working in Herbaria

Isobel Arbuthnot spent many years working in special places called herbaria. A herbarium is like a library for dried plant specimens. Scientists keep these collections to study plants.

From 1918 to 1939, she worked at the Bolus Herbarium. This was a very important place for plant research. After that, she moved to the Compton Herbarium. This herbarium is located inside the beautiful Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. She worked there until she retired in 1945.

A Plant Named After Her

Isobel Arbuthnot's contributions to botany are remembered. A type of succulent plant, called Lampranthus arbuthnotiae, was named in her honor. This shows how important her work was in discovering and understanding plants.

Later Life

Isobel Agnes Arbuthnot passed away in 1963. She died in Newlands, which is in Cape Provence, South Africa. Her life's work helped us learn more about the plant world.