Ogilvie Farquharson, Marian (1846–1912)

views updated

Ogilvie Farquharson, Marian (1846–1912)

English botanist. Name variations: Marian Ogilvie-Farquharson; Marian Ridley. Born Marian Sarah Ridley, July 2, 1846; died April 20, 1912; m. Robert F. Ogilvie Farquharson, 1883 (died 1890).

Was a member of Epping Forest and Essex Naturalists' Field Club, East of Scotland Union Naturalists' Society, and Alford Field Club Society; wrote A Pocket Guide to British Ferns (1881); was the 1st female elected a fellow of Royal Microscopical Society (April 8, 1885), though she was excluded from meetings and had no voting privileges; began petitioning Linnean Society to grant women eligibility for fellowship and, as members, to be permitted to attend meetings (April 1900); finally won battle when 16 women became Linnean Society fellows (Nov 17, 1904); elected Linnean Society fellow (Mar 1908), but was unable to sign its register due to illness.