Stevenson, Greta Barbara (1911–1990)
Stevenson, Greta Barbara (1911–1990)
New Zealand botanist, mycologist, mountaineer, and teacher. Name variations: Greta Barbara Cone. Born June 10, 1911, in Auckland, New Zealand; died Dec 18, 1990, in London, England; dau. of William Stevenson (clerk) and Grace Mary (Scott) Stevenson; University of Otago, BSc, 1932, MSc, 1933; Imperial College of Science and Technology, London, PhD, 1934; m. Edgar Cone (chemical engineer) 1936 (div. 1966); children: 2.
Worked as analyst for Wellington City Council (late 1930s); taught science at various secondary schools; active in numerous New Zealand botanical societies; helped initiate Wellington Botanical Society's Bulletin, 1941; wrote articles and scholarly papers on mycology and published 3 popular self-illustrated books on ferns and fungi; was research fellow at Cawthron Institute in Nelson (1954–57); became research assistant at Imperial College of Science and Technology in London (1958); returned to New Zealand and served as research officer in botany at Victoria University (1970); also worked at University of Canterbury's botany department (early 1980s); member of New Zealand Alpine Club (1934–49), and made numerous ascents, including that of first significant climb in New Zealand by all-woman party, east peak of Mt. Earnslaw at Lake Wakatipu (1933); active member of New Zealand Women Writers' Society.
See also Dictionary of New Zealand Biography (Vol. 4).