Winifred Elsie Brenchley
(1883-1953), Agricultural botanist; Head of the Botany Department, Rothamsted Experimental StationSitter in 1 portrait
Brenchley was one of the first women scientist to be employed at an agricultural institution in the UK and was instrumental in opening up the field to women. After attending Swanley Horticultural College, Brenchley studied botany at University College London. She was awarded the Gilchrist studentship for university women at the Rothamsted Experimental Station in 1906. The station admitted that 'the funds available would not have attracted a suitable man'. In 1907 she became head of the botanical department, where she remained until she retired. Weeds of Farmland published in 1920 was the first comprehensive study of weeds in the UK and her findings on growing plants in water culture became widely used in the field.
by Elliott & Fry
bromide print, 1940s
NPG x86482
Comments back to top
We are currently unable to accept new comments, but any past comments are available to read below.
If you need information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service . Please note that we cannot provide valuations. You can buy a print or greeting card of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at around £6 for unframed prints, £16 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Use this image button, or contact our Rights and Images service. We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.