Eleanor Ormerod, LL. D., Economic Entomologist : Autobiography and Correspondence

"Eleanor Ormerod, LL. D., Economic Entomologist: Autobiography and Correspondence," edited by Robert Wallace, is an autobiographical account written in the early 20th century. This work details the life and experiences of Eleanor Ormerod, a pioneering figure in economic entomology, a field focused on the study of insects and their effects on agriculture. The book serves as both a personal memoir and a correspondence collection, reflecting Ormerod's dedication to her scientific work and the relationships she cultivated throughout her career. The beginning of the autobiography provides an insightful glimpse into Ormerod's early life, detailing her family background at Sedbury Park in Gloucestershire, her childhood experiences, and initial interests in natural history, particularly in entomology. Noteworthy are her vivid recollections of formative moments, such as her fascination with flowers and insects, early education at home under her mother, and her family's engagement with the surrounding natural world. This opening section establishes a foundation for understanding how Ormerod's upbringing and personal observations shaped her future contributions to economic entomology and her eventual rise to prominence in this scientific field. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Eleanor Anne Ormerod was a pioneer English entomologist. Based on her studies in agriculture, she became one of the first to define the field of agricultural entomology. She published an influential series of articles on useful insects and pests in the Gardeners' Chronicle and the Agricultural Gazette along with annual reports from 1877 to 1900. These annual reports were produced by summarizing information provided by her network of correspondents from across Britain. Belonging to the landed gentry, she worked as an honorary consulting entomologist with the Royal Agricultural Society of England and received no pay for any of her work. She also promoted the use of paris green as an insecticide and called for the extermination of the house sparrow.