Nora Lilian Alcock facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nora Lilian Lepard Alcock
|
|
|---|---|
Alcock in Australia in 1938
|
|
| Born |
Nora Lilian Scott
18 August 1874 |
| Died | 31 March 1972 (aged 97) |
| Nationality | British |
| Known for | First government-appointed plant pathologist in Scotland Research on disease-resistant strawberries |
| Spouse(s) | Nathaniel H. Alcock |
| Awards | MBE (1935) Fellow, Linnean Society of London (1923) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Plant pathology, mycology |
| Institutions | University of London Kew Gardens Department of Agriculture for Scotland |
| Author abbrev. (botany) | N.L.Alcock |
Nora Lilian Alcock (born August 18, 1874 – died March 31, 1972) was a very important scientist. She was a pioneer in studying plant diseases, called plant pathology. Nora was also the first plant pathologist hired by the government in Scotland.
Nora's Early Life
Nora Lilian Scott was born in 1874. Her father was Sir John Scott, who was a legal advisor in Egypt. Her mother was Edgeworth Leonora Hill. Nora did not go to a formal university.
In 1905, she married Nathaniel Henry Alcock. He was a doctor who used X-rays. They moved to Canada together. Sadly, Nathaniel died in 1913. After his death, Nora and her four children moved back to Britain.
Her Work with Plants
When Nora returned to London, she got a job. She worked at the Plant Pathology Laboratory. This lab was part of the Ministry of Agriculture at Kew Gardens. Here, Nora became an expert in mycology. Mycology is the study of fungi, like mushrooms and molds.
In 1922, Nora became a member of the Linnean Society. This is a famous group for natural scientists. In 1924, she moved to Edinburgh, Scotland. She took a new job there. She became the plant pathologist for the Department of Agriculture.
Her job was based at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. She focused on using healthy seeds. This helped to grow more food. She retired from her job in 1937. The next year, she visited Australia. She spent six months there studying the plants.
Awards and Recognition
Nora Alcock did important research on plant diseases. She especially studied a fungal disease in strawberries. This disease was called red core disease. Because of her great work, she received an award. She was given an MBE in 1935.
Her research helped create strawberry plants that could resist diseases. She also made a list of diseases carried by seeds. In 1924, Nora was the first person to hold the new job of Plant Pathologist in Scotland. A special plaque honors Nora Alcock. You can find it at the Royal Botanic Gardens of Edinburgh.
Other Achievements
During the Second World War, Nora helped teach. She taught botany, the study of plants, to prisoners of war. She was also a member of important groups. These included the National Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs. She was also part of the Edinburgh Soroptimists.
See also
In Spanish: Nora Lilian Alcock para niños
