Kathleen Basford (6 September 1916 – 20 December 1998) was a British botanist, with a special interest in genetics. She is known for discovering a form of

fuchsia ''Fuchsia'' () is a genus of flowering plants that consists mostly of shrubs or small trees. The first to be scientifically described, '' Fuchsia triphylla'', was discovered on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola (Haiti and the Dominican Republic ...

that was a

cross A cross is a geometrical figure consisting of two intersecting lines or bars, usually perpendicular to each other. The lines usually run vertically and horizontally. A cross of oblique lines, in the shape of the Latin letter X, is termed a s ...

between a New Zealand and Mexican fuchsia, proving this form of flower existed 20–30million years ago, before the continents had separated.Fushsia research at Manchester University, The Fushsia Annual (1956); 18-23.

Life

Basford was born in Grantham in 1916 and developed her interest in botany from her nanny, Winny, who taught her how to identify types of trees and wildflowers. She studied at Harrogate Ladies College where biology was not on the curriculum. She then studied botanical drawing at an art school in Nottingham where she met Freddie Basford, a PhD chemistry student. They married in 1936. They later went on to live in Manchester and have 3 children. In the late 1940s Basford began cultivating and hybridising species of fuchsia. She took evening classes on botany at Manchester University. In 1952, she wrote a paper for the Journal of the Fuchsia Society describing a hybrid fuchsia from a New Zealand fuchsia and a Mexico fuchsia, proving this form of flower existed 20–30 million years ago. This was used as evidence for continental drift and the continents had separated. This earned her a job at the Botany Department at the

University of Manchester The University of Manchester is a public university, public research university in Manchester, England. The main campus is south of Manchester city centre, Manchester City Centre on Wilmslow Road, Oxford Road. The university owns and operates majo ...

, where she worked with geneticist S. C. Harland. She studied her M.S on the genetic and morphogenetic effects of radiation on

groundsel Groundsel is a common name for several plants and may refer to: *Members of the genus ''Senecio'' **Creeping groundsel, ''Senecio angulatus'' **Common groundsel, ''Senecio vulgaris'' **Welsh groundsel, '' Senecio cambrensis'' **York radiate grounds ...

plant material. Basford travelled with Harland to Peru to work on breeding varieties of maize. Upon return to the UK, she took a position at the Department of Diagnostic Cytology at

Christie Hospital The Christie Hospital in Manchester, England, is one of the largest cancer treatment centres in Europe. It is managed by The Christie NHS Foundation Trust. History The hospital was established by a committee under the chairmanship of Richard Ch ...

, where she worked until her retirement. She is also known for her research into the cultural significance of the

Green Man The Green Man is a legendary being primarily interpreted as a symbol of rebirth, representing the cycle of new growth that occurs every Spring (season), spring. The Green Man is most commonly depicted in a sculpture, or other representation of ...

, a mythical figure who had a head that sprouted foliage. In 1978, she published ''The Green Man'', discussing how the figure was a motif for the "spiritual dimension of nature" in architecture, with an important relevance in modern society.

References

1916 births 1998 deaths Academics of the Victoria University of Manchester British women botanists British geneticists 20th-century British botanists 20th-century British women scientists Women geneticists {{UK-botanist-stub