Mary Edna Burleigh Norton

Mary Edna Burleigh Norton (November 30, 1832 – February 13, 1917) was an American professor, botanist, and museum curator.

Early life and education She was born on November 30, 1832, in New York as the elder sister of Henry Brace Norton. She attended Rockford Seminary in Illinois and in Berlin, Germany.

Career She taught botany and geography in public schools in the Midwest for 18 years In 1878, Mary became a professor at State Normal School at San Jose, California until her resignation in 1888. Her students gifted her a microscope which is in the Pacific Grove museum's collection.