Nancy Adams facts for kids

Jacqueline Nancy Mary Adams (born May 19, 1926 – died March 27, 2007) was a talented New Zealand artist. She was known for drawing plants and for working as a museum curator. Nancy Adams was especially famous for her detailed drawings of seaweeds and other plants.

Nancy Adams: Early Life and Interests

Nancy Adams was born in Levin, New Zealand, in 1926. Her parents were Jessie Whittaker and Kenneth Ernest Adams. Nancy's grandfather was an early plant enthusiast named James Adams.

Nancy's parents separated when she was young. She grew up in Wellington with her grandparents. Her grandparents owned the famous Whittaker's chocolate company! From a very young age, Nancy loved plants and drawing. She once said she always knew she wanted to be the person who drew plants for books.

Her interest in nature was encouraged at primary school. Her principal, William Martin, was an amateur botanist. He taught students how to draw plants from real life. He also took them on trips to the Wellington Botanical Gardens. Nancy later went to Wellington Girls' College. She then studied zoology and botany at Victoria University College.

Nancy Adams: A Career in Science and Art

Nancy Adams didn't finish her university studies because of health issues. However, she started an amazing career at just 16 years old. She joined the Botany division of New Zealand's Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR). This was during World War II, and the department needed new staff.

Nancy worked at the DSIR until 1959. After that, she joined the Dominion Museum. Today, this museum is known as the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. She became an assistant Curator of Botany. Her special focus was on algae, which are simple plant-like organisms like seaweeds.

She retired from her museum job in 1987. But she continued to work there as an Honorary Research Associate. This meant she could keep doing research and sharing her knowledge.

Nancy Adams was a very productive artist. She drew pictures for almost forty different books and articles. These publications covered many topics, including native plants, alpine plants, trees, and shrubs. She even drew for another New Zealand scientist, Ella Orr Campbell. Nancy received international praise for her detailed and beautiful drawings of algae.

Awards and Special Honours

Nancy Adams received many awards for her important work. These included the Loder Cup in 1964. She also received the New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal.

In 1989, she was made a Companion of the Queen's Service Order. This award recognized her great public service. In 1996, she became a Commander of the Order of the British Empire for her contributions to botany.

In 1994, she won an award for her book Seaweeds of New Zealand: An Illustrated Guide. This amazing book described 600 different plant species. It also included 441 of her own beautiful illustrations. Nancy Adams is also recognized by the Royal Society Te Apārangi as one of their 150 women in 150 words laureates.

See also

In Spanish: Nancy Adams para niños