Kathleen King

A.L. Kathleen King (1893–1978) was an Irish botanist and one of Ireland's leading field bryologists.

Life King was born Anastasia Lelia Catherine Murphy in Dublin on 5 July 1893, the daughter of Lawrence and Bridget Murphy (née Monaghan). Her father had a drapery business in Lower Baggot Street, with the family living in Upper Merrion Street. King attended Loreto College, St Stephens Green where she had a particular interest in music and drama, playing the cello. She went on to a Berlin finishing school, where she learnt German. Upon returning to Dublin, she acted for a short period in the Abbey Theatre. She joined the Society of Irish Foresters and the Dublin Naturalists Field Club, both of which expanded her interest in nature and botany.

King's herbarium contained over 4000 specimens, mostly from Ireland, but with some specimens from Britain and Europe. She donated the collection to the National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin in 1977, when her eyesight began to fail. The collection is considered the most important addition of bryophytes since the early 1900s.

Selected publications