Lily Newton facts for kids

Lily Newton (born January 26, 1893 – died March 26, 1981) was a very important British scientist. She was a professor of botany (the study of plants) and a vice-principal at the University of Wales. She made big contributions to understanding plants, especially seaweeds, and helped fight pollution.

Early Life and Education

Lily Newton was born in 1893 in Pensford, England. Her parents were George and Melinda Batten. She went to Colston’s Girls' School in Bristol, where she was a top student.

She loved plants and decided to study botany at the University of Bristol. She was very good at it! She even won a special scholarship for botany and earned a first-class honours degree. This means she was one of the best students in her class.

A Career in Plant Science

After finishing her studies, Lily Newton started her career in science.

Early Teaching and Research

In 1919, she became an assistant lecturer in botany at the University of Bristol. A year later, she moved to Birkbeck College, part of the University of London. She taught botany there until 1923.

After that, she worked on research at the Imperial College of Science. In 1925, she got married to Dr. William Charles Frank Newton. She helped him with his scientific work until he sadly passed away in 1927. For a short time, she also worked at the John Innes Horticultural Institute.

Leading the Botany Department

In 1928, Lily Newton moved to Wales. She became a lecturer in botany at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth. Just two years later, in 1930, she was promoted to professor of botany!

Under her leadership, the botany department became very famous. Many more students joined, and they did lots of important research. This research often focused on local issues in Wales.

Lily Newton also served as Vice-Principal of the University of Wales from 1951 to 1952. Then, for a year, she was the Acting Principal. She retired in 1959 and was given the title of Emeritus Professor. In 1973, the University of Wales gave her an honorary degree for her amazing work.

Her students remembered her as a dedicated teacher. Her lectures were always clear and easy to understand. She was known for being strict but also very kind and helpful when students needed it. She also played a big part in designing the new botany building at the university.

Important Research on Seaweeds

Lily Newton studied plants from all over, especially seaweeds. In 1931, she published a very important book called A Handbook of the British Seaweeds. This book described about 750 different types of algae found around the British Isles. Even 50 years later, scientists were still using her book!

During World War II, there was a worry about running out of agar. Agar is a jelly-like substance made from seaweed. It's used in science, food, and medicine. When supplies from Japan were cut off, Lily Newton was asked to help. She coordinated efforts to produce agar from British seaweeds. Her work was vital for the country during the war.

Fighting River Pollution

Lily Newton was also a pioneer in studying river pollution. In the 1930s, she started a project on the River Rheidol in Aberystwyth. This river was polluted with lead and zinc from old mining operations. These metals harmed plants and animals in the river.

She and her team monitored the river for many years. They watched as it slowly recovered, becoming a major salmon river by the late 1960s. Her work on river pollution was far ahead of its time! She was later asked to advise on the effects of pollution for other big industrial projects.

Other Contributions

Besides her main research, Lily Newton also lectured on fossil plants and flowering plants. She played an important role in the early work of the Nature Conservancy in Wales. This organization helps protect natural areas.

She also led several important scientific groups. She was president of the British Phycological Society (which studies algae) and the UK Federation for Education in Home Economics.

Personal Life and Death

Lily Newton married Dr. William Charles Frank Newton in 1925. He was a scientist who studied cells. Sadly, he passed away just two years later. After his death, Lily helped prepare his scientific work for publication.

Lily Newton died in Pontardawe, near Swansea, Wales, on March 26, 1981. She left behind a legacy as a brilliant botanist and a dedicated educator.