Caroline Pellew Explained

Caroline Pellew
Birth Date:1882
Birth Place:Brighton, Sussex, England
Death Date:1963 (aged 80–81)
Death Place:Hitchin, Hertfordshire, England
Fields:Genetics
Education:John Innes Centre, University College Reading (now University of Reading)
Academic Advisors:Frederick Keeble, William Bateson
Known For:Cytological Studies on the Relations Between Asiatic and European Varieties of Pisum Sativum

Caroline Pellew (born 1882) was a British geneticist who made significant contributions to knowledge of the laws of inheritance in various organisms including peas.

Education

Pellew was awarded the first minor studentship at the John Innes Centre in 1910. She was a Horticultural Associate of University College Reading and completed a two-year diploma course in horticulture. While at Reading she worked with the botany professor, Frederick Keeble, to investigate the genetics in the chemistry of flower colour.

Research and Writing

Pellew conducted much of her significant work on the "rogue" phenomenon in peas with William Bateson and became known as "Professor Bateson's right-hand man",[1] [2] or alternatively his "lieutenant, secretary, mentor and foil".[3] She headed the researchers at Merton after Bateson's death, including fellow female geneticists; Dorothea de Winton, Dorothy Caley, Alice Gairdner, Irma Anderson-Kotto and Aslaug Sverdrup.[4]

By 1929, Pellew had proved her passion for genetics and was given the title of ‘geneticist’ and meticulously worked with peas for over 20 years.[5] [6]

In 1941, Pellew was forced to take "voluntary retirement" due to John Innes experiencing a reduction in income because of the war.

Pellew wrote many papers on Pisum (peas) and Primula (Primrose) and in 1931 published a book called Genetical and Cytological Studies on the Relations Between Asiatic and European Varieties of Pisum Sativum.[7] In 1946, she wrote to J. B. S. Haldane to belatedly congratulate him on his marriage, explaining that her letter was late because she was "sacrificing letter writing to peas."[8]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Forsdyke, Donald R.. Evolutionary Bioinformatics. 2016-04-27. Springer. 9783319287553. en.
  2. Web site: War and peas- John Innes Centre- jic.ac.uk.
  3. Book: The Man Who Invented the Chromosome: the life of Cyril Darlington. HARMAN. Oren Solomon. 2009-06-30. Harvard University Press. 9780674038332. en.
  4. Book: The Man Who Invented the Chromosome: the life of Cyril Darlington. HARMAN. Oren Solomon. 2009-06-30. Harvard University Press. 9780674038332. en.
  5. Web site: Women scientist & early pea research.
  6. Richmond. Marsha L.. 2015-01-01. Women as Mendelians and Geneticists. Science & Education. en. 24. 1–2. 125–150. 10.1007/s11191-013-9666-6. 2015Sc&Ed..24..125R. 144712362. 0926-7220.
  7. Book: Genetical and Cytological Studies on the Relations Between Asiatic and European Varieties of Pisum Sativum: I, II.. 1931. Pellew. Caroline.
  8. Web site: Pellew, Caroline. wellcomelibrary.org. en. 2017-06-12.