Mary Dilys Glynne

Mary Dilys Glynne (19 February 1895 – 9 May 1991) was a British plant pathologist and mountaineer.

She was the first plant pathologist at Rothamsted Experimental Station and was particularly interested in soil-based fungal diseases including potato wart, eyespot in wheat and take-all. She discovered a method for identifying varieties of crop resistant to these fungal diseases and proved that methods such as crop rotation only perpetuated the problem. Her research led to increased yields in agriculture, which was of particular note during World War II, and was appointed an OBE for her services to agriculture.

Glynne was also a passionate mountaineer, climbing a number of famous Alpine peaks. She was the second person, the first woman, to climb Mount Spencer in New Zealand.

Early life Glynne was born Mary Dilys Glynne Jones in Upper Bangor, Gwynedd in North Wales on 19 February 1895. Her father, John Glynne Jones, was a solicitor and her mother, Dilys Lloyd Glynne Jones was secretary (and later vice-president) of the Association for Promoting the Education of Girls in Wales. The couple had a total of five children. Glynne, as the middle child, had both an older and younger brother and sister. Glynne's elder sister was Eryl Smith, a doctor and plant collector. Glynne's mother was one of the founders of the Bangor School for Girls, so Glynne was educated there before attending North London Collegiate School, another school with links to her mother. Her degree in botany was attained from University College of North Wales in 1917 and soon after she dropped the "Jones" from her name. and later founded the Plant Pathology Department. Glynne's first major work was studying Synchytrium endobioticum, the cause of potato wart disease. A modified version of her method for identifying varieties resistant to the disease, the Glynne-Lemmerzahl method, is still in use today. The award included a year's study in Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand, which she undertook in 1928 after spending time with Sweet. and made "unexpected" discoveries related to the disposal of organic material in the soil.

Other interests One of Glynne's main interests was mountaineering and rock climbing, although her family did not support the hobby, Despite this, Glynne climbed throughout her life, including in Australia and New Zealand whilst she was touring there. This should not be confused with a lesser Mount Spencer which is 12.5 kilometres north in the Burster Range at . the first by a woman. She was recognised by the Cambodia tourist board in their printed guides to the site. and retired that same year. Instead of giving up work completely she moved to a volunteer role at Rothamsted for two more years. In mountaineering, Glynne was a member of the Fell & Rock Climbing Club, the Pinnacle Club and vice-president of the Ladies' Alpine Club. In 1991, at the age of 96, Glynne developed bronchopneumonia and died in her nursing home in Harpenden.