Sutherland, Mary (1893–1955)

views updated

Sutherland, Mary (1893–1955)

New Zealand forester and botanist. Born May 4, 1893, in London, England; died Mar 11, 1955, in Wellington, New Zealand; dau. of David and Nellie (Miller) Sutherland; University College of North Wales, BSc, 1916.

First woman in UK to complete degree in forestry; served in Women's Land Army and worked as forester on estates in Scotland; immigrated to New Zealand (early 1920s); became forestry assistant at New Zealand State Forest Service (1923–32); made a member of Empire Forestry Association (1924) and charter member of New Zealand Institute of Foresters (1928); served on Council of New Zealand Institute of Foresters (1935), and Council of New Zealand Forestry League (1936); secured position with Dominion Museum in Wellington, becoming botanist (1933); transferred to Department of Agriculture as sole farm forestry officer (1946); wrote significant series of articles for New Zealand Journal of Agriculture on benefits of tree farming (1950s).

See also Dictionary of New Zealand Biography (Vol. 4).

More From encyclopedia.com