Susan Fereday (botanical artist)
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Susan Fereday | |
|---|---|
 Self-portrait of Susan Fereday, National Library of Australia | |
| Born | 1815 Leicestershire, England |
| Died | 21 October 1878 (aged 62–63) Sale, Victoria, Australia |
| Other names | Susan Georgina Marianne Apthorpe |
| Known for | the study of algae and scientific illustration |
| Spouse | Rev. John Fereday |
| Children | Elizabeth Henty Fereday |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | algology and botany |
Susan Fereday (née Apthorpe) (1815, Leicestershire, England – 21 October 1878, Sale, Victoria, Australia)[1] was an algologist, botanical illustrator, artist and Sunday school teacher who made scientifically significant collections of botany specimens in Tasmania, Australia.[2] She was also a talented artist known for her accurate paintings of the local flora of Tasmania.[3]
Fereday was born Susan Georgina Marianne Apthorpe in Leicestershire, England in 1815, to Freder Apthorp and Susan Athorp, née Hubbard.[4] She married John Fereday in London on 29 December 1836 and emigrated with her husband to Australia aboard the Aden on 5 November 1845.[4] The couple arrived at what was then Van Diemen's Land on 26 February 1846.[4] Fereday lived in "The Grove" in George Town, Tasmania and used the local flora as inspiration for her paintings.[3] Fereday exhibited her art at the Melbourne Intercolonial Exhibition of 1866-1867.[5] She was part of the Tasmanian contingent of this exhibition alongside fellow botanical artist Louisa Anne Meredith.[4]
Fereday was also a keen collector of algae specimens and established a scientifically significant collection. William Henry Harvey named two species after Fereday to honour her contribution to the study of algae, Dasya feredayae and Nemastoma feredayae.[6][3]
Fereday Place in the Canberra suburb of Conder is named in her honour.[7]
