Elsie Low

Elsie Low (later Dohrmann; 25 July 1875 – 14 February 1909), was a New Zealand botanist, teacher and temperance campaigner.

Early life and education

Low was born in Horndon on the Hill, Essex, England on 25 July 1875. She was the youngest of five children and her parents were Benjamin Low and Sabine Susanna née Harris. Her family owned a general store in Horndon-on-the-Hill until they emigrated to New Zealand in 1876. Benjamin Low became the first schoolmaster in Willowby, near Ashburton. Both Benjamin and Sabine Low enrolled for the basic teaching certificate, and both qualified in 1881, and taught at the Willowby School over the next 21 years. It is possible this other publication led to Low receiving first-class honours in English and French but only second-class honours in botany. Her friends and colleagues recalled her as lively and fun-loving.

Legacy A brass plaque at Christchurch Girls' High School commemorates Low's time there as a pupil and staff member. In 2017, Low was selected as of the Royal Society Te Apārangi's 150 women in 150 words, celebrating the contributions of women to knowledge in New Zealand.

Published work