Nora Lilian Alcock, also known as Nora Lilian Lepart and Nora Lilian Leopard, (18 August 1874 – 31 March 1972) was a pioneer in the field of

plant pathology Plant pathology or phytopathology is the scientific study of plant diseases caused by pathogens (infectious organisms) and environmental conditions (physiological factors). Plant pathology involves the study of pathogen identification, disease ...

and the first government-appointed plant pathologist in Scotland.

Life

Nora Lilian Scott was born in 1874, the daughter of

Sir John Scott John Scott, 1st Earl of Eldon, (4 June 1751 – 13 January 1838) was a British barrister and politician. He served as Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain between 1801 and 1806 and again between 1807 and 1827. Early life Background Eldon ...

, the Judicial Advisor to the Khedive of Egypt, and Edgeworth Leonora Hill. It appears she had no formal higher education. She married Nathaniel Henry Alcock, a radiologist, in 1905 and moved to Canada. When he died of cancer in 1913, she and her four children returned to Britain.

Work

Upon her return to London, Alcock obtained a post at the Plant Pathology Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture,

Kew Gardens Kew Gardens is a botanical garden, botanic garden in southwest London that houses the "largest and most diverse botany, botanical and mycology, mycological collections in the world". Founded in 1759, from the exotic garden at Kew Park, its li ...

. During her appointment, Alcock developed expertise in

mycology Mycology is the branch of biology concerned with the study of fungus, fungi, including their Taxonomy (biology), taxonomy, genetics, biochemistry, biochemical properties, and ethnomycology, use by humans. Fungi can be a source of tinder, Edible ...

under the directorships of Sir John Fryer, John Ramsbottom, and Professor Dame Helen Gwynne-Vaughan. Alcock became a fellow of the

Linnean Society The Linnean Society of London is a learned society dedicated to the study and dissemination of information concerning natural history, evolution, and taxonomy. It possesses several important biological specimen, manuscript and literature collec ...

in 1922, and in 1924, she moved to

Edinburgh Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland and one of its 32 Council areas of Scotland, council areas. The city is located in southeast Scotland and is bounded to the north by the Firth of Forth and to the south by the Pentland Hills. Edinburgh ...

for the position of plant pathologist in the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. Her post was based at the

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) is a scientific centre for the study of plants, their diversity and conservation, as well as a popular tourist attraction. Founded in 1670 as a physic garden to grow medicinal plants, today it occupies ...

and focused on using healthy seeds to increasing food production. She retired in 1937. The following year she visited Australia, where she spent six months studying local flora.

Honours and recognition

As a result of her research on fungal diseases, in particular red core disease in strawberries, Alcock was awarded an MBE in 1935. Her work developed disease-resistant strains and catalogued seed-borne diseases. In 1924 Alcock became the first person to hold the new post of Plant Pathologist in the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. Her biography was written by

Charles Edward Foister Dr Charles Edward Foister FRSE (17 August 1903 – 23 July 1989) was a British botanist and plant pathologist. He was Director of Scottish Agricultural Scientific Services in Edinburgh from 1957. He specialised in lichens and fungi. Life He wa ...

. A memorial plaque dedicated to Alcock can be found at the Royal Botanic Gardens of Edinburgh.

Other accomplishments

During the Second World War, she taught botany to prisoners of war. She was a member of the National Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs and the Edinburgh Soroptimists.

References

External links

* Women of Scotlan
Mapping Memorials to Women in Scotland – Nora Lilian Alcock
* Whois.co
Nora Lilian Alcock Biography
* International Women in Science - A Biographical History to 1950
Entry for Nora Lilian Alcock
{{DEFAULTSORT:Alcock, Lilian 1874 births 1972 deaths Fellows of the Linnean Society of London Members of the Order of the British Empire 20th-century British biologists 20th-century Scottish women scientists British women biologists