Special Issue 5 - Irene Manton: A Biography (1904 - 1988)

Irene Manton was President of the Linnean Society from 1973–1976.

Published in 2004, the centenary of Irene’s birth, and because of her commitment to women’s emancipation, and the fact that it is also 100 years since women were first admitted to the Linnean Society, we have included a short postscript to this biography entitled ‘100 years ago – The Admission of Ladies’. Written by Brian Gardiner, Editor of The Linnean, who worked with Irene Manton for many years.

‘…on the possibility of compiling a more in-depth biography about Irene. It was with some trepidation that I approached the task since I am a protistologist and, apart from possessing a tree-fern in my garden, I had little knowledge of the pteridophytes. However, I felt that the opportunity of celebrating her centenary in this way should not be missed.’

By Dr Barry S.C. Leadbeater, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham

Special Issue No. 5 of The Linnean Newsletter and Proceedings of The Linnean Society of London