Honour for Two Noted Women Scientists

Manawatu Times, Volume 70, Issue 267, 12 November 1945, Page 3

Honour for Two Noted Women Scientists

For the first time in its long history the Royal Society has elected two women scientists as Fellows. Not since 1838, when Queen Victoria had this honour bestowed on her, has a woman been elected. Now Mrs. Kathleen Lonsdale, physicist, and Miss Marpory Stephenson, bio-chcmist, follow in the Royal footsteps. They can add tho letters F.R.S. after their names. The two newly-elected Fellows follow a long and distinguished line of scientists of all kinds, as well as philosophers, writers, artists, thinkers, and pioneers in every type of research. Miss Stephenson has an enthusiastic, lively personality. She is a woman of strong individual opinions and believes that it is one of the duties of scientists to put science across to tho public. In her own vigorous words she expresses the view: “Let all ivory towers be blown to pieces!” She has carried out most of her research work at Cambridge, where she also lectures and teaches. For twenty years she has specialised in the study of bacterial metabolism and has published a work on this subject which was recognised as one of major importance. Mrs. Lonsdale is a member of the Society of Friends and is entirely devoted to her scientific quest. Petite, unassuming, and extremely modest about her success, she carries her 42 years lightly. It is hard to realise that she is the author of nearly seventy jmblications. She entered Bedford College, London University, at the age of 16, graduating at 19. A great moment in her life came when Sir William Bragg asked her to join his team of research workers on X-ray crystallography at University College in "922. When Sir William became Lirector of the Royal Institution in 1923, Mrs. Lonsdale accompanied him and has been working there ever since, except for two years in Leeds, where she lived after her. marriag.