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 | 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, also known as Nora Lilian Lepart [1] and Nora Lilian Leopard, [2] (18 August 1874 – 31 March 1972) was a pioneer in the field of plant pathology and the first government-appointed plant pathologist in Scotland.
Nora Lilian Scott was born in 1874, the daughter of Sir John Scott, [3] 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. [4]
Upon her return to London, Alcock obtained a post at the Plant Pathology Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Kew Gardens. [4] During her appointment, Alcock developed expertise in mycology under the directorships of Sir John Fryer, John Ramsbottom, and Professor Dame Helen Gwynne-Vaughan. [5] Alcock became a fellow of the Linnean Society in 1922, and in 1924, she moved to Edinburgh for the position of plant pathologist in the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. [4] Her post was based at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and focused on using healthy seeds to increasing food production. [5] She retired in 1937. [5] The following year she visited Australia, where she spent six months studying local flora. [6]
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. [4]
In 1924 Alcock became the first person to hold the new post of Plant Pathologist in the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. [4]
Her biography was written by Charles Edward Foister. [4]
A memorial plaque dedicated to Alcock can be found at the Royal Botanic Gardens of Edinburgh. [7]
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. [5]