Elizabeth Ann Bartholomew


Elizabeth Ann “Betty” Bartholomew was an American botanist dedicated to the study of plant systematics.

Early life

Bartholomew was born on June 14, 1912 in Wheeling, West Virginia. Influenced by her naturalist father, she became interested in the natural sciences at a young age. When she was 12 Bartholomew joined the Girl Scouts, and she subsequently earned all of the nature badges. After high school, Bartholomew attended West Virginia University. She became interested in botany during her freshman year after taking a class taught by Perry Daniel Strausbaugh.

Career

In 1936, Bartholomew graduated with an A.B. degree in Botany from West Virginia University. She started working for the Botany Department, acting as Herbarium Assistant of the West Virginia University Herbarium. Bartholomew initiated an exchange program between dozens of botanists in the southeast, and she personally coordinated, sorted, and mailed the botanical specimens.
In 1946, Bartholomew became Secretary of the Southern Appalachian Botanical Club. She received her M.S. degree in Botany from West Virginia University in 1948. under the direction of Earl Lemley Core. Her thesis was entitled, “The Flora of Wirt County, West Virginia”.
In 1972, Bartholomew become secretary of the West Virginia Academy of Science, and in 1974, she was appointed Assistant Professor of Biology at West Virginia University. She retired from WVU in 1977, the Southern Appalachian Botanical Club in 1981, and from the West Virginia Academy of Science in 1984.

Legacy

The Elizabeth Ann Bartholomew Award, established in 1989, is presented by the Southern Appalachian Botanical Club annually. It is given to "individuals who have distinguished themselves in professional and public service that advances our knowledge and appreciation of the world of plants and their scientific, cultural, and aesthetic values, and/or exceptional service to the society."
The Elizabeth A. Bartholomew Seed Collection, housed in the WVU Herbarium, contains over 2,000 specimens.

Awards

In 1974, Arch A. Moore Jr., Governor of West Virginia, gave Bartholomew an award as Outstanding West Virginian in 1974. The West Virginia Academy of Science gave her an appreciation award in 1983.

Publications