Biographical entry
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Bright Sparcs
Biographical entry
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Cookson, Isabel Clifton (1893 - 1973) |
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| Botanist | |
| Born: 25 December 1893 Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Died: 1 July 1973 Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia. | |
| Isabel Clifton Cookson was Research Fellow in Botany, University of Melbourne 1952-1959. She was world renowned for her research which included fossil plant studies. Cookson created many international collaborations and associations which lead to significant discovories. The Cooksonia plant genus and the Isabel Cookson Award (Botanical Society of America) have been named in her honour. Isabel Cookson has published over 80 papers and produced many botanical illustrations. |
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After completing her studies at Hambledon and Methodist Ladies Colleges, Isabel Clifton Cookson went to Melbourne University. In 1916 she graduated with a BSc majoring in botany and zoology. Cookson went on to tutor, then lecture in botany at the University. She was appointed Research Fellow in 1952 and held this position up until her death in 1973. In 1926 Isabel Cookson made the first of many study/ research trips to the University of Manchester. It was during one of these visits that she developed a keen interest in fossil plants. Cookson and Manchester University’s Prof. W. H. Lang developed a long term and very productive partnership. Their collaboration resulted in many key publications. Prof. W. H. Lang even named a plant genus (Cooksonia) in her honour. Isabel Cookson later returned to Australia where she pioneered palynolgy studies in Australia. Her work on fossil-plant remains lead to her appointment as head of the University’s Pollen Research Unit (1949) and to obtain a Doctorate of Science. Her 58 years of research produced great insight into the history and evolution of Australia’s flora and 85 publications – 30 of which were written after she had officially retired. Her reputation as an outstanding botanist was world wide. The Botanical Society of America commemorate her achievements by awarding the Isabel Cookson Award to the best paper on palaeobotany presented at their annual meeting. Chronology
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Published by The University of Melbourne eScholarship Research Centre on ASAPWeb, 1994 - 2007 Originally published 1994-1999 by Australian Science Archives Project, 1999-2006 by the Australian Science and Technology Heritage Centre Disclaimer, Copyright and Privacy Policy Submit any comments, questions, corrections and additions Prepared by: Acknowledgements Updated: 26 February 2007 http://www.asap.unimelb.edu.au/bsparcs/biogs/P000321b.htm |