| Margaret S. Morley | |
| Birth Date: | 1938 |
| Birth Place: | New Zealand |
| Death Place: | New Zealand |
| Occupation: | Malacologist, illustrator, museum curator |
| Years Active: | 1980–2016 |
| Other Names: | M. S. Morley, Margaret Stewart Keer |
| Awards: | Associate Emeritus of Auckland War Memorial Museum |
Margaret S. Morley (née Keer, 1938–2016), was a New Zealand malacologist, illustrator and museum curator. A self-trained researcher, Morley joined the Auckland Shell Club in 1980 and became one of the leading experts in the identification of New Zealand micromollusc species. A prolific researcher, Morley published over 119 papers, most of which featured her own illustrations, and in 2004 published A Photographic Guide to Seashells of New Zealand.
Margaret Stewart Keer[1] was born in 1938.[2] Morley studied physiotherapy and trained as an orthopaedic nurse. By chance became interested in marine life while volunteering with Girl Guides, after seeing a mycology display at the Auckland Easter Show. She joined the Auckland Shell Club in the late 1970s, when her children were young.[3] [2] [4] In 1992 she became one of founding members of the Auckland Geology Club.[2] Morley was a self-taught researcher, first publishing research papers in 1980.[2] In 1993, Morley was made an Honorary Research Associate of Auckland Museum,[2] volunteering as a research associate for over 30 years.[5] Over this time, Morley became one of the leading experts in New Zealand micromollusc identification,[2] and would spend at least one day per week making shoreline observations.[6] In 1995, Morley donated a large number algae specimens for the herbarium at Auckland Museum.[7]
In 2004, Morley published the book A Photographic Guide to Seashells of New Zealand.[2] In 2006, Morley published the first study of New Zealand ostracod distribution ever undertaken.[6]
In 2014, Morley became an Associate Emeritus of Auckland War Memorial Museum, due to her work in advancing the museum's marine collections, developing the museum's exhibitions and delivering public programmes.[8] [9]
Morley died on 12 September 2016.[1] Of the 119 research papers Morley wrote, most included her own illustrations.[2] She published works on marine molluscs, marine biology, geology and nudibranchs,[10] and worked on research showing how introduced south-east Asian bivalve species had begun to dominate intertidal life in New Zealand.[6] In July 2016 prior to her death, Morley donated her personal shell collection to the Auckland Museum, containing approximately 7,000 specimens.[4]
Morley lived in Sunnyhills near Pakuranga, Auckland,[11] [12] close to the Tāmaki River.[2] She was a committee member of the Tamaki Estuary Protection Society, the former director of the New Zealand College of Massage, and a commissioner for Girl Guides New Zealand.[2]