Mary Pirie

Mary Pirie
Born20 January 1822
Cotton Lodge, Woodside, Aberdeen
Died8 February 1885 (aged 64)
Portsoy, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Burial placeSt Nicholas Cemetery, Aberdeen
Occupation(s)Botanist; Entomologist; Teacher
Notable work
  • "Flowers, Grasses and Shrubs with Anecdotes and Poetical Illustrations"(1860)[1]
  • "Familiar Teachings on Natural History: A Book for the Use of Schools and Families" (1864)[2]
Parents
  • William Pirie (father)
  • Clementina Anderson (mother)

Mary Pirie (20 January 1822 – 8 February 1885) was a Scottish botanist and teacher. She had an interest in education and studied botany and entomology, calling entomology the study of "animated nature" which is the key focus of her second work.[2] She believed one of the great benefits of natural sciences was the way that it is accessible to the masses, stating "The Science of Botany is the branch of Natural History most generally accessible to all; it is the science which furnishes us with the key to unlock the cabinet and unfold the wonders of the Floral Kingdom".[3] This was cited as a key reason for her writing about botany in a digestible way through poetry and illustrations.

  1. ^ Pirie, Mary (c. 1800). Flowers, grasses, and shrubs: a popular book on botany. London: James Blackwood.
  2. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Pirie-1864 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference PIRIE-1860 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).