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Susan Fereday (botanical artist) facts for kids

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Susan Fereday
Self-portrait of Susan Fereday.png
Born 1815
Leicestershire, England
Died 21 October 1878
Sale, Victoria, Australia
Other names Susan Georgina Marianne Apthorpe
Known for the study of algae and scientific illustration
Spouse(s) Rev. John Fereday
Children Elizabeth Henty Fereday
Scientific career
Fields algology and botany

Susan Fereday (born Apthorpe) was a talented artist and scientist. She was born in 1815 in Leicestershire, England. Susan moved to Australia and became famous for her detailed paintings of plants. She also collected many important plant and algae samples. Susan Fereday passed away in 1878 in Sale, Victoria, Australia.

Susan Fereday's Life and Work

Susan Fereday, whose full name was Susan Georgina Marianne Apthorpe, was born in England in 1815. In 1837, she married Reverend John Fereday. Nine years later, in 1846, Susan and her husband sailed to Australia on a ship called the Aden.

Living in Tasmania

Eucalyptus viminalis by Susan Fereday
Eucalyptus viminalis painted by Susan Fereday.

The Fereday family settled in a place called "The Grove" in George Town, Tasmania. Susan found lots of inspiration for her art in the plants around her home. She was very good at painting the local flowers and trees. Her artwork was so good that it was shown at a big event called the Melbourne Intercolonial Exhibition in 1866-1867.

Studying Algae

Nemastoma feredayae by William Henry Harvey
Nemastoma feredayae drawn by William Henry Harvey.

Susan Fereday was not just an artist; she was also a keen scientist. She loved collecting different types of algae, which are simple plant-like organisms often found in water. Her collection of algae was very important for science. A famous scientist named William Henry Harvey was so impressed by her work that he named two new species of algae after her. These were Dasya feredayae and Nemastoma feredayae.

Honoring Susan Fereday

To remember her important contributions, a street in Australia was named after her. You can find Fereday Place in the Canberra suburb of Conder.

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