Marie Lebour

Marie Victoire Lebour (20 August 1876 – 2 October 1971) was a British marine biologist known for her study of the life cycles of various marine animals. She published more than 175 works during her long career.

Career and research In 1900, before beginning her scientific education, Lebour began her research career with a paper on land and freshwater molluscs in Northumberland. While studying for her master's degree, Lebour was on staff at Durham University. From 1906 to 1909, she was a demonstrator in the Department of Zoology at the University of Leeds and from 1909 to 1915 she was also an assistant lecturer. Lebour's professional research career was entirely conducted at the Marine Biological Association's Laboratory at Plymouth, where she joined the research staff in 1915. She was a full staff member there until 1946, then an honorary staff member until she could no longer conduct research due to health problems, in 1964.

Lebour retired in 1945 at the age of 70, but continued to work into the laboratory and publish until she was 88 and her failing vision prevented her from working at the microscope. She was remembered fondly by her colleagues. The featured scientists were Lebour, Mary Jane Hancock, Dr. Kathleen Blackburn, ornithologist Catharine Hodgkin, bryologist Evelyn Lobley, Grace Hickling and botanical artist Margaret Rebecca Dickinson.

Selected publications