Ethel Thomas

Ethel Nancy Miles Thomas (4 October 1876 – 28 August 1944) was a British botanist, best known for her work on double fertilisation in flowering plants as the first British person to publish on the topic. Thomas studied at University College London, largely as a research apprentice to Ethel Sargant, receiving her BSc in 1905. She joined Bedford College and soon became head of the newly formed botany department. Thomas left the Bedford College in 1913, subsequently holding roles at University of South Wales, National Museum of Wales and in the Women's Land Army, before settling at University College, Leicester.

Biography Ethel Nancy Miles Thomas was born on 4 October 1876 in Islington, London. Her parents were David Miles Thomas, a tutor, and his wife Mary. Initially educated at home, she went on to attend Highbury Fields School (then Mayo High School) in Islington.

In 1897, Thomas began studying botany at University College London and in the same year began a four-year research apprenticeship to the botanist, Ethel Sargant. Whilst acting as a research assistant, she attended botany lectures given by John Bretland Farmer at Royal College of Science and acted as president of the women student's union for University College London. Thomas published her first papers on botany in 1900, before she completed her undergraduate studies and received her BSc from University College in 1905.

Thomas received her DSc from University College London in 1915, where she was also recognised with a fellowship.

In 1933, Thomas married a barrister, Hugh Hyndman, but was left widowed the following year. She was a life member of the British Association and served as vice-president of its botany arm, 'Section K'. After retirement, Thomas carried on her research from rooms in Westfield College, but stopped in 1940 due to poor health. She suffered heart failure and died on 28 August 1944.

Research Thomas is noted for investigations on flowering plants and was the first person in Britain to publish information about their double fertilisation. She also worked extensively on her theory about double leaf-trace by studying both flowering and non-flowering seed producing plants.