Mary Winifred Betts

c. 1920s (?)

In ‘Professor’s Progress’ album. Box 7 Botany Papers r6461. Hocken Collection

Unpublished

Before J. E. Holloway arrived, botany at the University was taught by Miss Mary Winifred Betts (1894-1971), who graduated MSc First Class in natural science (botany) in 1917. Under Professor Benham, Head of Biology (Botany’s predecessor), Betts did a five-year stint of teaching to first year students taking medical, dental and home science degrees. Her efforts laid the groundwork for a degree programme for the Botany Department. In 1920 she married the mathematician Alexander Craig Aitken, which effectively signalled an end to her professional career.