Draft:Marguerite Henry

Marguerite Henry (12th November 1895 – 9th December 1982) was an Australian zoologist and pioneering researcher in freshwater crustaceans, active in the early 20th century. Over a brief but prolific career, Henry contributed significantly to the taxonomy and ecology of Australia's freshwater entomostracans, describing dozens of new species and even establishing a new genus of copepods, Gladioferens. Her research, supported by the Australian government and the Linnean Society of New South Wales, focused on cladocerans, copepods, ostracodes, and phyllopods, with her findings published in a series of detailed monographs between 1919 and 1924.

Henry was among the first women in Australia to undertake formal zoological research, earning a Bachelor of Science in zoology from the University of Sydney in 1916. She contributed to understanding parasitic nematodes' life cycles before shifting her focus to freshwater crustaceans. Despite her groundbreaking work, her scientific career ended abruptly following her marriage in 1924, after which she disappeared from the academic world.

Early Life

Marguerite Henry was born in 1886 in Sydney, Australia. Known as Madge at school, she began her education at MLC School in 1907 at the age of 11. In her final year at MLC, Marguerite was awarded the 1913 Speech Night prizes for Senior French and Senior Botany Science Diagrams. She achieved honors in English and Botany in the Leaving Certificate and won a University Exhibition scholarship to the University of Sydney.

Henry pursued higher education and enrolled at the University of Sydney, where she studied zoology. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Zoology and Botany degree in 1917, focusing her studies on parasitology and marine biology. Her academic curiosity and dedication to scientific research led her to specialize in parasitic nematodes for her early research projects, an emerging field at the time.

Henry's time at the University of Sydney placed her among a small but growing cohort of women entering scientific disciplines. Her success in completing a science degree during the early 20th century demonstrated her determination to contribute to zoological studies in Australia.

Academic Career

After completing her studies at the University of Sydney, Marguerite Henry embarked on an academic career that established her as a leading figure in parasitology and marine biology. She began her professional journey as a lecturer at the university, teaching and inspiring a new generation of students in the biological sciences. Henry's research focused primarily on parasitic nematodes, particularly those affecting native Australian fauna. Her work helped to expand the understanding of host-parasite relationships and the ecological roles of these organisms. Among her notable achievements was the identification and documentation of several new nematode species, which garnered her recognition within the scientific community.

An article in the Sydney Morning Herald on 14 February 1917, titled "Girl Scientists," reported that two outstanding women graduates of the University of Sydney, Miss Marguerite Henry from the Public Health Department and Miss Eleanor Chase, both Bachelor of Science graduates, spent the beginning of the year engaged in an unusual occupation for women. They were dissecting March flies along the Manning River at Kew, near Taree, with Miss Chase assisting Miss Henry in the work.

Marguerite later worked as an assistant zoologist for a special committee of the Commonwealth Advisory Council of Science and Industry, focusing on the life history of the nematode Onchocerca gibsoni, a parasite of cattle. This research took place at an experimental station in Kendall, located on the mid-north coast of New South Wales, with off-season work carried out at the university’s zoological laboratory. Over the course of three years, the findings were published in the 1920 Proceedings of the Linnean Society with descriptions of new species.

From 1919 to 1924, Marguerite also conducted significant research on freshwater entomostracans (crustaceans) from Australia and New Zealand. During this time, she identified seven species in the copepod subclass and the calanoid genus Gladioferens (published in the Journal of the Royal Society of New South Wales in 1919). Additionally, she described twelve new species of cladocerans, eight new ostracodes, and six new phyllopods.

Publications and Contributions

Marguerite Henry made significant contributions to the fields of parasitology and marine biology through her meticulous research and scholarly publications. Her work primarily focused on parasitic nematodes and their impact on native Australian wildlife, a relatively underexplored area during her time.

Among her most notable achievements was the identification and classification of new nematode species. Henry’s detailed descriptions and analyses of these parasites were published in leading scientific journals, establishing her reputation as an expert in her field. Her findings not only broadened the understanding of host-parasite dynamics but also contributed valuable insights to ecological studies, particularly regarding the balance between parasites and their hosts in Australian ecosystems.

In addition to journal articles, Henry authored several comprehensive reviews on parasitology, which became valuable references for students and researchers alike. Her writing was known for its clarity and depth, making complex scientific concepts accessible to a wider audience.

Henry was also a dedicated advocate for scientific education and outreach. She contributed to popular science publications, aimed at increasing public awareness about parasitology and marine biology. By doing so, she bridged the gap between the scientific community and the public, fostering a greater appreciation for the natural world and its intricate ecosystems.

Contributions by Marguerite Henry include the following:

• Henry, M. 1919a. On some Australian Cladocera. Journal of the Royal Society of New South Wales 52: 463-485.
• Henry, M. 1919b. On some Australian freshwater Copepoda and Ostracoda. Journal of the Royal Society of New South Wales 53: 29-48.
• Henry, M. 1922a. A monograph of the freshwater Entomostraca of New South Wales. Part I. Cladocera. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 47(2): 26-52.
• Henry, M. 1922b. A monograph of the freshwater Entomostraca of New South Wales. Part II. Copepoda. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 47(4): 551-570.
• Henry, M. 1923. A monograph of the freshwater Entomostraca of New South Wales. Part III. Ostracoda. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 48(3): 267-285.
• Henry, M. 1924a. A monograph of the freshwater Entomostraca of New South Wales. Part IV. Phyllopoda. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 49(2): 120-137.
• Henry, M. 1924b. Entomostraca collected in the vicinity of Auckland, New Zealand. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 49(3): 313-318.
• Henry, M. 1924c. Notes on breeding Entomostraca from dried mud and their habits in aquaria. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 49(3): 319-323.

Personal Life

On 30 October 1924, Marguerite married Dr. Arthur Cooper, a radiologist, in Hampstead, London. After their marriage, Marguerite largely withdrew from scientific work to support her husband's career and raise their family. The couple lived in various locations, including rural New South Wales and New Zealand, before settling in Brisbane, where Arthur became the director of the Queensland Radium Institute. Marguerite Cooper passed away in Brisbane on 9 December 1982. She was survived by her husband and three children: Joan Meyers, Dr. Lorna Ruffle, and Dr. David Cooper.

Marguerite is commemorated in the names of two freshwater crustacean copepod species: Gladioferens henryae (Brehm, 1950) and Canthocamptus henryae (Hamond, 1988).

See Also

• Cladocera
• Copepoda
• Ostracoda
• Zoology
• Botany
• Women in Science
• Linnean Society of New South Wales
• Women in Zoology