Lilian Sheldon facts for kids

Lilian Sheldon (born May 1862 – died 6 May 1942) was an amazing English zoologist. A zoologist is a scientist who studies animals. Lilian was known for her important research on tiny sea creatures and other animals.

Early Life and Education

Lilian Sheldon was born in a place called Handsworth in 1862. Her father was a vicar, which is a type of church leader. Lilian grew up with two brothers and four sisters. Her parents, Ann and Reverend John Sheldon, made sure their daughters received a good education.

Many years ago, it was not common for girls to go to college. But Lilian and her sisters were lucky! They all attended Handsworth Ladies' College. After that, three of the sisters went on to study at Cambridge University. Lilian went to Newnham College in 1880. Her two other sisters went to Girton College. Lilian's older sister, Helen Sheldon, even became a well-known headteacher.

At Cambridge, Lilian studied Natural Sciences. She took special exams called Tripos in 1883 and 1884. This showed how dedicated she was to science.

Scientific Discoveries

Lilian Sheldon was a very busy scientist. She did important research on how animals develop. For example, she studied the growth of a newt embryo, which is a baby newt before it hatches. She worked on this with another zoologist named Alice Johnson.

Lilian also studied the detailed body structure, or morphology, of two interesting creatures. One was called Cynthia rustica, which is now known as Styela rustica. This is a type of sea squirt, a small marine animal. She also studied Peripatus, which is a unique worm-like creature.

Her scientific findings were so important that they were published in a famous science magazine called the Quarterly Journal of Microscopical Science. She also wrote a part of a book series called Cambridge Natural History, focusing on a group of worms called Nemertines.

From 1892 to 1893, Lilian worked at Newnham College. She helped students learn about animal body structures. Then, from 1893 to 1898, she taught classes on how different animals' bodies are similar and different. She was a College associate from 1894 to 1906. Around 1898, she decided to leave her academic work.

Later Life and Contributions

Even after leaving her college work, Lilian continued to be active. She wrote several articles about old buildings in Devon, a county in England. These articles were published in the Transactions of the Devonshire Association.

During World War I, Lilian helped out by working for the YMCA in Birmingham. She was one of the first women in the country to drive a car, which was very unusual at that time!

In 1931, her brother Gilbert Sheldon passed away. He had been paralyzed for most of his life but still managed to write many books and travel with his six sisters. Lilian, along with a writer named Walter de la Mare, wrote the introduction to Gilbert's last book, which came out in 1932.

Lilian also served on the local hospital committee in Exmouth, where she lived. She passed away there at the age of 80. Lilian Sheldon was a remarkable woman who made important contributions to science and her community.