Becoming a Vertebrate Palaeontologist

International Journal of Paleobiology & Paleontology ISSN: 2642-1283 MEDWIN PUBLISHERS Committed to Create Value for Researchers

Turner S* Mini Review Department of Geosciences, Queensland Museum, Australia Volume 4 Issue 1

Received Date: January 27, 2021 *Corresponding author: Susan Turner, Honorary Research Fellow, Department of Published Date: February 11, 2021 Geosciences, Queensland Museum, 122 Gerler Road, Hendra, Queensland 4011, Australia,

Email: [email protected] ; [email protected] Abstract

The roads to becoming a palaeontologist or contributing to the discipline are many and varied and for women, often tortuous. Concentrating on early to mid 20th century women in Europe brings to light some of the ways in which women survived

in the field of vertebrate palaeontology (VP) studying from the earliest fish to our own human relatives. Only are few are known: e.g., in Britain (Pearson, Steen, Rayner), France (Friant, Dechaseaux), Germany (Edinger, von Huene), Hungary (Mottl), The Netherlands (Schreuder, Sanders,), Romania (von Nopsca), and Sweden (Carlsson, Christie-Lind). It is not always easy to unravel the whys and hows of their scientific contributions or even the basic details of their lives but new historical research has brought to light over 1200 women in VP. Their paths to contributing to VP and the difficulties overcome add to the history ofKeywords: women in science and may inspire others to choose a life in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

Vertebrate Palaeontology; Women; Historical Research; STEM; 20th Century; Western Europe Abbreviations: STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering Emerita at San Diego State University and the author co- Over the last three years, Annalisa history Berta, of women Professor in and Mathematics; VP: Vertebrate Palaeontology; SVP: Society . In our d’Histoireof Vertebrate Naturelle; Paleontology; NHM = The DMS: Natural David History Meredith Museum Seares; newoperated book to[6], create we have a first considered definitive the stories of discovery, UCL: University College London; MNHN: Museum National collection,VP, with over and study 1200 and noted popularisation for their contributions of fossil vertebrates Introduction through time and increasing contributions by women around Investigating the history of women in science meets the theby women.world, both Our as goal professional was to highlight scientists the and changing ‘amateurs’. roles In challenges of unravelling the lives of people who are mainly our quest, we interviewed and corresponded with many of the currently active women and tracked the lives of the many, some forgotten, women of the past. dealing‘missing’ with from more the recentnarratives history. of life Delving [1,2]. into Both any Oldroyd history [3] of and Falk [4] have pinpointed the difficulties especially when Because in much of the world the same constraints hunted for mammoths or dinosaurs. In fact, few women apply, despite efforts such as the UN programmes to educate beforescience the text last will decadenot enlighten or so youeven too wrote much about on which the womenhistory young women, and in certain places girls are still forbidden education, we need to foster an attitude of encouraging young people into STEM. Collecting fossils is one way that whoof science. had contributed, One who did, as an Emily artist Eveleth – the illustrative Snyder [5], skills science of teacher of Little Falls, New York, could only find one woman anyone can enter the field, as we rely on amateurs to make young Cecile Braun of Karlsruhe (born anywhere between special finds. Based on numerous examples, from Mary 1799 & 1810?–1848), who captured the eye (and eventually Anning of Lyme Regis on, children are particularly good at the heart) of pioneer palaeoichthyologist Louis Agassiz [6]. finding fossils, being closer to the ground and with their keen Becoming a Vertebrate Palaeontologist Int J Paleobiol Paleontol 2 International Journal of Paleobiology & Paleontology young eyes. Thus, here I’d like to highlight some of those women who freed themselves, by education and entered the contributors. For more see [6] and Table 1. th century. I shall concentrate on the area we call Europe (ignoring Brexit) and on a few key scientific VP arena in the early 20 Name Dates Place of birth Training Job/Research Relationships Pubs Refs commercial Curation, Karoline 1898-Secretary, 1879-1966 Austria school; ~10 self-taught work; photography Augusta Ärnbäck Mammals; field Obit ADAMETZ ‘Lotte’ Self-taught G-P, NH Mus Sweden M ~9

-CHRISTIE-LIND 1870-1953 Romania ~ < BFV 1909 PhD JF (nee Andersson SSR 10 Virginia BARBU 1905–1997 PhD Curation, BFV Director Tring Shindler Dorothy BATE self-taught Museum 2004 work 1878-1951 Wales Mammals; field ~ 56 Albertina Stockholm 1848-1930 Sweden M ~30 1927 teacher Elsie Margaret Hon. PhD Zooarchaeo Tomlinson England CARLSSON Q M 1941 Colette 1906-19991885-1976 France MNHN 6+ DECHASEAUXCLIFFORD R B M Palaeoneurology Senckenberg Tilly EDINGER 1897- 1967 Germany PhD paleoneurology >400 BFV until 1938 Madeleine 1897- France PhD M MNHN ~ 90 Obit; BFV FRIANT Friedrich von Erika von HUENE Germany PhD JF, R M ~8 BFV 197/8x? Huene Miss A.C. Cleevely 1905-1969 Scotland? PhD ? n/a Edderton Burn 1983 JF coll. – ORS Budapest 19xx?-dates?1906-1980 Hungary M ~70 JACKSON Mr Györffy Obit; BFV MariaIlona MOTTL PhD Elder Brother Romania Dinosaur bones von Nopsca NOPCSA von 1883-1952 1927 DSc Franz Freiherr England R M ~8 FELSOE-SZILVAS Mr Hacker Dorothy Helen DMS Watson Boylan Helga PEARSON 1912-20031899-1975 England JF 2020 Margarethe The PhD DMS Watson RAYNER Naturalis; Shell ~40 bio SANDERS Netherlands Unpaid incl. Leiden Brongersma consultant Mrs L. D. Antje 1905-1996 PhD Dutch M SCHREUDER Mrs James Margaret C. 1887-1952 PhD ~50 Obit; BFV England T Brough ~6 STEEN 1905- 1971 PhD BFV Table 1: th-mid 20th century. DMS Watson European Women in VP in the Late 19 For more see Berta & Turner [6] and literature cited; BFV = Bibliography of Fossil Vertebrates; B = birds, JF = jawed fishes, R = reptiles, M = mammals, NH = natural history, Q = Quaternary, ORS = Old Red Sandstone, T = tetrapods. Turner S. Becoming a Vertebrate Palaeontologist. Int J Paleobiol Paleontol 2021, 4(1): 000123. Copyright© Turner S. 3 International Journal of Paleobiology & Paleontology

Early History Albion’s Best Few women before the later 20th to 21st centuries made By the end of the 19th century more women began to a life in science or gained formal paid positions. For the most gain education, independence and even university degrees part women were overwhelmed with social, domestic and were possible. They began to gain employment, and for biological constraints. Those that have achieved recognition in the bio- and geosciences for their roles in palaeontology herthese way more into intrepid employment women at field the Britishcollecting Museum was undertaken of Natural recent decades the lives of the few in the 19th century who in earnest. In Britain, Welsh-born Dorothea Bate, who talked do not constitute many (e.g., Kölbl-Ebert & Turner [2]). In pride in those pioneers, such as Mary Anning, Etheldred sitesHistory in Europe in London and (nowthe Middle NHM), East. albeit Fortunately, in an unpaid she position,gained a contributed to VP have been illuminated, with long-overdue biographerwent on to excavate in historian mammal Karolyn and Schindler bird fossils [8]. from numerous and Carrie Adeleine Barbour in America, who had actually Bennet, and the Philpot sisters in England, Fanny Hitchcock Three other important British women came to the fore State Museum in the late 19th century, Anna Boleslavovna gained a paid position in the Nebraska-Lincoln University th and 19th in the suffragette era and thanks to the influence of David Missuna in the Baltics, and Maria Pavlova in Russia, who anMeredith impeccable Seares (DMS)academic Watson family at University that encouraged College London free- trainedof Europe in Franceand the (e.g. US and Berta few & gotTurner a paid [6]). job! In Most the 18 young girls (Department of Zoology, UCL), and they shined in VP. From orcenturies women the could women have wereno aspirations mainly confined because to education Britain, parts and The Grammar of Science. In 1921 opportunities were lacking. This is why Mary Anning’s life is thinking, Helga Sharpe Pearson, daughter of UCL biostatician researchKarl Pearson, on fossil who wrotemammals. Helga went to visit the US toafter study her B.Sc.,fossils, became starting Assistant a trend in that UCL continuesZoology and today began as so remarkable (e.g. Sharpe [7]). collections are located in institutions around the world. In publication of the Origin of Species; women’s emancipation the early 1920s she then did important work and published increasedMinds by did the change,end of the not 19 th least century after and Darwin’sslowly barriers 1859 on South African dicynodont mammal-like reptiles. the discipline was the coming of societies that they could At the behest of DMS, Margaret Clair Steen became the fell. A major factor in finally encouraging women into belong to, and for VP this means the Society of Vertebrate first woman to work on early Carboniferous tetrapods. After InPaleontology the course (SVP),of research founded for theeventually new book, in December we ‘discovered’ 1940. early training with him at UCL, she gained her doctorate The role of women in the early SVP has mostly been neglected. theat Victoria foundation University for the successful Manchester. Newcastle Her significant University body Alec of American, including the then indefatigable septuagenarian work in the 1930s on US, UK andth century Czech [6]. amphibians Marriage laid to Carrieover 25 Barbour, female foundingbut also the or ‘Charter’resilient members.European-born Most wereTilly fellow DMS-student James Brough did not stop her research Panchencompletely School and when later he in became the 20 Chair of Zoology at Cardiff University in 1944, the university happily also ‘acquired’ Edinger (see below) and Lore David (1905–1985), both of Margaret virtually by default. The running of a family did put whom20 escapedth Century the Nazi Europe regime [6].

At this time, the western world women were gaining her scientific life on hold for many years and two decades passedDorothy before Helenher final Rayner paper. also had DMS as her most th centurythe vote, universitiesfirst in the southern were opening hemisphere up to andwomen. then However,in the US going on to an important university career, stepping into a thereand UK are and still around relatively Western few women Europe. scientists By the endable of to the pursue 19 influential research mentor, working jawed Mesozoic fishes, a research career; usually they lost their jobs when they decided to marry. During this time two major world wars— traditionpost during in earlyscience WWII and and an trainingunconventional many paleontologists schooling at for the next 3–4 decades. From a well-off family with a women to be appointed to a tenured academic post in any WWI 1914–18 and the aftermath ‘Spanish’ flu pandemic that ‘progressive’ Bedales School, Dorothy was one of the first followed and WWII 1939–45—disrupted education, and Assistant lecturer in 1939. In 1919, long after other leading possibilitiesambitions were ensued. changed for many; some women benefitted English geology department, joining Geology at Leeds as from the massive loss of life in these conflagrations and new universities, Cambridge finally established the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and her father Edwin Rayner was one of Turner S. Becoming a Vertebrate Palaeontologist. Int J Paleobiol Paleontol 2021, 4(1): 000123. Copyright© Turner S. 4 International Journal of Paleobiology & Paleontology

Germany major spur to Dorothys life choices. In addition, her mother Agnes,the first nee to Styles, gain his; was Boylan an active [9] suffragette. considered Dorothy’s that this time was at a she joined the undergraduate student Sedgwick Club and TillyFew Edinger, German who was women fortunate had scientificto grow up careers. in an intellectual The first gainedCambridge a First in 1933–35 at Girton expanded College inher the love Cambridge of palaeontology; Natural Jewishwoman family to gain in aFrankfurt biological with PhD a father,at a German a neurobiologist, university whowas Sciences Tripos. Her ground-breaking research on Jurassic believed in education. She spent her early working life at the Senckenberg Museum, initially in an unpaid position, where By modern-day standards her output was not voluminous she began her landmark study of vertebrate fossil brains, fishes, led to the award of a Cambridge PhD in 1938 [9]. She travelled to study collections in the States and Sweden a major review in 1929. Her mentors were Friedrich von but each paper was significant in so-called ‘top’ journals. and in so doing she founded the field of paleoneurology with Achannaras, Scotland. Dorothy made a major review of Upper and undertook field work at the Devonian fish quarries at Huene in Tuebinen and Belgian Louis Dollo. Tilly narrowly escaped Nazi persecution in 1938–9, and in her early 40s left Paleozoic and Mesozoic geological environments of fossil [6].her home first to England and then gained a place in the US, forfishes DMS and on joined his retirement others brought [10]. Her together research by output fellow sufferedstudent later becoming the first women president of the SVP in 1964 inand relation close friend to her T.teaching Stanley load Westoll but sheto produce went on ato Festschrift write two Her slightly younger contemporary, Erika von Huene had

but she too was trained and inspired by Friedrich von Huene. major textbooks and the Geological Society of London finally Erikaa very did different pioneering upbringing work inon her Rhaetic father’s bonebeds Pietist householdand early recognized her in 1975 with the award of the prestigious LyellFrance Medal, a rare event for a woman [9]. gained her doctorate in April 1933 as Hitler came to power andmammals then had but to she struggle too fell to gain foul work. of the Helped Nazi regime by colleagues as she she managed to continue for a few years researching many highMadeline position at Friant the Museum has the distinctionNational d’Histoire of being Naturelle the first French woman to undertake VP research and to attain a Mesozoic reptiles from Germany but both WWII and its aftermathHungary defeated her and she gave up her scientific life. (MNHN) in Paris. She was contemporary with Pearson medicaland Bate training and did and visit research Britain forgaining research, her signingdoctorate Lady in naturalMaud Woodward’s sciences, she famous became tablecloth a comparative [11]. After anatomist her earlier at with an impressive oeuvre over four decades encompassing the MNHN and a Chargée de recherche of the future CNRS. workMaria particularly Mottl was on a geologistQuaternary and pioneercave faunas. VP in Hungary,Born in She began to work on the dentary evolution of the castorids. She researched many groups from amphibians, birds and several mammals including cave bears, elephants, and Budapest to an established family, her life reflects the ebb rodents to whales. In 1937 aged 40, she succeeded to the doctorateand flow of summa European cum history laude atfrom this University time. She studiedof Budapest. at the sub-directorship of Comparative anatomy of the museum. universities of Vienna, Berlin and Budapest and gained her Friant’s story is incomplete, because, like many others, as yet Institute and, like von Huene, she begins to publish in 1933 gettingHer first interested employment in wascave at bearsthe Royal through Hungarian her speleogical Geological Erb noted [12] that “She leaves the memory of an energetic woman,we have knownfound no for obituary her strong for Madeleine. character Interestingly,who sometimes P.J. alienated the sympathies of her colleagues.” I wonder if he Followingstudies. She the rise corresponded of Hitler and with resulting both changes, Bate (NHM) she moved and would have said the latter of male bosses? Schreuder (Leiden Naturalis) on Pleistocene mammals. This move might have been related to her background or becauseto Austria of and marriage; was based by 1942 at the she Joanneum is noted Museumas Györffy-Mottl in Graz. and aFriant’s job at MNHN. compatriot She began Colette her Dechaseaux work in the trained 1930s later inspired and was acknowledged in her memorials. In the aftermath of first as an invertebrate palaeontologist, coming later to VP war,[1] andshe herhelped devotion rebuild to familythe shattered (but how Austrian many children?)economy with her knowledge of cave geology, working at the Federal to study palaeoneurology by Edinger’sTrait example.é de Paléontologie They began wouldto correspond not have and come Tilly to fruition.encouraged her later to ‘finish her work’. Without her the 1950s to 60s prehistoricMonuments and Office, end Ice going Age onfaunas to excavateand human the activity. 100,000–yr old cave Repolust in 1947–8. This extended her interest in

The Netherlands natural history museum. Holland had not encouraged many women into Romania paleontology but two important scientists span the early 20th century [6]. It is nearly 70 years since pioneer Dutch ö ás, played her part, palaeontologist Antje ‘Annie’ Schreuder died in The although not a major role in research; she found dinosaur Netherlands. She became a specialist in fossil small mammals Young Ilona Nopcsa von Fels -Szilv ouvre over 4 decades. Studying at the prestigious University sisterbones Ilona on the was family walking estate along at a Szentpeterfalva riverbank near (Sânpetru), the family ofsuch Amsterdam, as water-moles like so (desmanids) many, her life and was achieved put on ahold significant during Szacsal ‘the Land of Hateg’. In 1895, Franz von Nopcsa’s hillside; she brought it to her older teenaged brother [6]. The home when she found an unusual-looking bone exposed in a WWI and the aftermath. She resumed her research in 1923 Cretaceous duck-billed herbivore. The von Nopcsa children mammaliangaining her doctoratebone remains. five years later. She soon became the wereskull turnedborn in out Déva, to belongTransylvania, to a previously now western undiscovered Romania Lateinto acknowledged authority in Western Europe on Quaternary a wealthy noble family, growing up in a provincial backwater Following Schreuder as research assistant to Eugene of the aging Austro-Hungarian empire. At home, they spoke

SandersDubois at received Amsterdam almost University no international in 1929 (e.g. recognition Shipman [13]), until afterHungarian. Hitler cameFranz to went power. on toBut study what Ilona’s happened finds to and Ilona? become How wellthe subsequent after her death. VP work Her ofwork Margaretha to unravel ‘Greet’ the taphonomy Brongersma- of dida founder she fare of thewhen field communism of palaeobiology; took over he died and tragicallyall the estate just the origins of geochemistry and understanding of the origins the Hateg region was trying to become a major geotourism offish oil. fossilisation Sanders came and massalso from mortalities an academic of the sea family was andpivotal from in destinationwas lost in 1920?in the Based 2000s, on but hers more and otherrecently dinosaur the Nopsca finds, her earliest days she wanted to be a scientist. After gaining

Indonesia from Amsterdam University in 1934, she visited SzacsalConclusion castle was in ruin [14]. her highly acclaimed doctorate on Tertiary fishes from kill on the Namibian coastline during her honeymoon. Greet Anyone who has ever got ‘hooked’ on dinosaurs or Africa with her new husband and witnessed the massive fish mammoths will know the yearning that took over some of

Naturalrealised History the significance museum she and did went not on get to paid write but her she pivotal made papers. Although she was based in the university and Leiden highlythe most constrained amazing womenby the cultural of the pastand 200political years. conditions. Many of the early women in the discipline of VP were in Europe and kills globally from the literature. After the war, she was head- Here I have brought a ‘taste’ of several from the early to th huntedgood use by ofRoyal the Shell terrifying and became WWII yearsa consultant in researching and pioneer fish mid 20 in organic geochemistry, especially investigating black shales early tetrapod, dinosaur, dicynodont and early, micro- and century to the fore; these include pioneers in fish, [6]. palaeoneurology. Mottl and Steen were not considered by Quaternary mammalian studies, as well as in the field of Sweden Berta and Turner [6].

Sanders, Rayner and Edinger have attracted major anatomy,Two Swedishboth trained women in the made late 19 earlyth to contributions early 20th centuries to VP Obituaries are rare; only a few, Bate, Brongersma- although they were trained in zoology and comparative work of others. Most of these early women did not marry Zoological Institute in Stockholm. Albertina Carlsson, orbiographies. have children Little – to analysis conduct has a beenlife in donescience as meant yet on only the whoinfluenced was actually by William born before Leche, the director middle of of the the Hoegskola previous one path, and their lives were affected by two world wars. century, and Augusta Ärnbäck–Andersson of farming stock in Despite challenges these women paleontologists persisted Södermanland, south the capitol, who later married Christie- and went on to become successful scientists! However, by tooth microfossils [6]. Carlsson taught for many years at Lind, both contributed to research on small mammals using cohorttheir example, were being other born young or studyingwomen were and inspiredwould produce (including the fossil canids and relatives. She was awarded an honorary generationalthe author) or change taught, that and included by the many1930s iconic to 1940s women the in next the Stockholm schools for Girls producing at least 25 papers on intended also to be a teacher but from 1916 became an diverse and multifaceted as the women. doctorate from Stockholm University in 1927. Christie-Lind next era [15]. Their lives—triumphs and challenges—are as assistant zoologist and sometimes curator at the national Turner S. Becoming a Vertebrate Palaeontologist. Int J Paleobiol Paleontol 2021, 4(1): 000123. Copyright© Turner S. 6 International Journal of Paleobiology & Paleontology

6. paleontology;Although still women few are have from made outside significant the western progress world. in Berta A, Turner S (2020) Rebels, Scholars and Explorers: STEM fields, they remain underrepresented, including in Women in Vertebrate Paleontology. The Johns Hopkins with lack of obituaries and memorials for earlier women. 7. University Press, pp: 1-328. ChangeEven basic has factsbeen aboutslow to their overturn lives arewhat difficult has been to uncovera male- dominated profession. As with the pioneers, today’s women Sharpe T (2020) The Fossil Woman. A Life of Mary 8. still face challenges – racial and gender equality, ageism, Anning. Dovecote Press, UK, pp: 1-240. Schindler K (2004) Discovering Dorothea. The Life of Nevertheless, today around one-third of women scientists Pioneering Fossil-Hunter Dorothea Bate 1825–1892. poor mentoring, family issues and sexual harassment. are paleontologists; based on our studies, ~17% of those 9. Harper Collins Publishers Ltd, London, UK, pp: 1-390. Rebels, Scholars & Explorers will, therefore, be of interest not only to historians of science Boylan PJ (2020) Dr Dorothy Helen Rayner FGS (1912– andspecialize current in vertebrate VP. The new palaeontologists book but also to the STEM Female2003): Fellowship vertebrate of palaeontologist the Geological Society: and academic. Discovering In: community. In it we have uncovered inspiring stories from Burek CV, Higgs B, (Eds.), Celebrating 100 Years of

10. Forgotten Histories, Geol Soc, London, SP: 506. wemore ensure than 1200that women’swomen. Participationcontributions by are women celebrated is needed and futureand welcomed generations in science passionate including about VP; byhunting fostering fossil diversity, bones Westoll TS (1958) Studies on Fossil Vertebrates - Essays encouraged to unravel the history of life. presented to D.M.S. Watson. Univ of London, Athlone 11. Press, London, pp: 1-263. References Milner AC (2016) Lady Smith Woodward’s tablecloth. In: Johanson Z, Barrett PM, Richter M, Smith M, (Eds.), 1. 430:Arthur 89-111. Smith Woodward: His Life and Influence on Modern Vertebrate Palaeontology, Geol Soc, London, SP, TimesOgilvie to M, the Harvey Mid-20th J (2003) The Biographical Dictionary 12. of Women in Science: Pioneering Lives from Ancient 2. Century. CRC Press. Jaussaud P, Brygoo ER (2004) Madeleine Friant. In: France,Jaussaud pp: P, 231-232.Brygoo ER, (Eds.), Du Jardins au Muséum en Koelbl Ebert M, Turner S (2017) Towards a history of 516 Biographies. Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, women in the geosciences. In: Mayer W, Clary RM, Azuela 13. LF, Mota TS, Wołkowicz S, (Eds.), History of Geoscience: Celebrating 50 Years of INHIGEO, Geol Soc, London, SP, Shipman P (2001) The Man who found the “Missing 3. 442: 205-216. Link”. Eugene Dubois and his lifelong quest to prove major Contributions to Geology in the20th Century. Geol 14. Darwin right, Simon History Schuster, Forgot NY, ThisUSA 1-514.Rogue Aristocrat Oldroyd DR (2002) The Earth Inside and Out. Some Veselka V (2016) 4. Soc, London 192: 1-16. Who Discovered Dinosaurs and Died Penniless. Smithsonian Magazine. Falk D (2000) Careers in science offer women an unusual bonus: Immortality. Nature 407(6808): 833. 15. Turner S (2020) Far-flung Female (and fossil bone contributionhunting) Fellows: of women an autoethnographicin the Geosciences: approach. Celebrations In: 5. Snyder EE (1940) Snyder, Emily Eveleth. Biology in the Burek C, Higgs B, (Eds.), Uncovering the historical Making. McGraw‐Hill Book Company, Sci Edu, New York 1-539. of first female fellows of GSL, Geol Soc, London, SP: 506.