Search is on for great Victorian female seaweed collector who left specimens in Scarborough

This article originally appeared on Culture24.

Search for mysterious Victorian woman who collected seaweed and left vivid collection in Scarborough vaults

“There were a number of great women collectors in the Victorian era,” points out Dr Jane Pottas, a Whitby-based seaweed expert who found a leather-bound volume of pressed seaweeds, owned by Georgiana Wise during Victorian times, in the herbarium of the Scarborough Collections.

“Seaweed collecting was a popular occupation for young ladies. They could go unchaperoned to the shore, and books written at the time gave advice on appropriate dress.”

A phycologist – the term for algae-studiers – Dr Pottas is unsure whether Wise collected or received the scientific volume. She says Wise would have prepared their specimens by floating them over a piece of paper or thin card in a shallow tray of seawater, preserving the shape of the plant and enjoying mutual admiration with the male scientists of the time.

“I would love to know more about Georgiana,” she admits.

“I’ve been unable to discover anything about her, although there are two possible names in the 1861 census: a Georgiana J Wise born in Leeds, Yorkshire in 1811, her occupation given as ‘Railway Share Proprietor’, and the other born in Foleshill, Warwickshire, in 1829.

“Her specimens are beautifully preserved in the album – the colours are as vivid today as when they were collected.

“Is either of these women the owner of the album? What was her connection with Scarborough?

“Did she go there on holiday? The social history aspect of phycology adds an extra dimension to a fascinating subject.”

• Email j_d_pottas@hotmail.com with any information on Georgiana.

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Source: http://www.culture24.org.uk//science-and-nature/art505797-search-is-on-for-great-victorian-female-seaweed-collector-who-left-specimens-in-scarborough