Born: 1903
Died: 1980
Biography:
Eileen Mary Guppy MBE (24 May 1903 – 8 March 1980) was a British geologist, petrologist, and analytical chemist. She was the first female geologist appointed to the scientific staff of the British Geological Survey and was the first female staff member to be awarded an MBE in 1966 for her 39 years of service to the Order of the British Empire.
Education and early career
Guppy began her academic journey at Bedford College in London in 1920, where she studied Geology. She excelled in her studies and graduated with honors in 1923, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology. During her time at Bedford College, she worked as a research assistant to Leonard Hawkes and published a paper titled A Composite Dyke from Eastern Iceland in the Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London. This paper introduced insightful observations about the composition and makeup of an Icelandic dyke.
Geological Survey career
In 1927, Eileen Guppy joined the petrological department at the Geological Survey of Great Britain, becoming one of the two women with geology degrees appointed as technical assistants at the institution. Despite her qualifications, she faced gender-based discrimination and had to work in positions subordinate to her male colleagues for many years.
By 1935, Guppy had earned enough recognition for her abilities that she was entrusted with the task of organizing the move of the petrology rock and thin section collections from the old Museum of Practical Geology to the new Geological Museum. Her expertise and dedication were further acknowledged during World War II when she was promoted to the rank of assistant geologist, making her the first female geology graduate to join the scientific staff of the Survey.
After the war, Guppy’s position was demoted to that of a senior experimental officer, as it was believed she had fulfilled her wartime role. However, she continued her invaluable work as a scientific assistant to the Survey’s directors, Sir William Pugh and Sir James Stubblefield, until 1966. During this time, she made significant contributions to numerous British Geological Survey publications, despite receiving little credit for her work. Guppy’s dedication and expertise were evident as she consistently produced high-quality research.
In addition to her work with the Geological Survey, Guppy also served as a secretary for the new Atomic Energy Division. From 1963 to 1965, she collaborated with inspectors from the Public Record Office, evaluating older records from the British Geological Survey and Museum.
Upon her retirement in 1966, Eileen Guppy’s exceptional service of over 39 years was recognized, and she was awarded an MBE. She became the first female member of staff to receive such an honor, highlighting her pioneering contributions to the field of geology and her perseverance in the face of gender biases.
Throughout her remarkable 43-year career, Eileen Guppy made significant contributions to the scientific community. Her work focused on petrology, analytical chemistry, and geological research, and she played a pivotal role in advancing the understanding of various geological phenomena. Despite the challenges she faced as a woman in a male-dominated field, Guppy’s dedication and determination set a precedent for future generations of female geologists.
Awards:
– MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) – awarded for over 39 years of service to the Order of the British Empire, 1966.