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Mary Winifred Betts Aitken

1894 – 1971

New Zealand botanist and university lecturer

Botanist University teacher School teacher

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About Mary Winifred Betts Aitken

Lived 1894 – 1971 (aged 76). Mary Winifred Betts Aitken was a New Zealand botanist, university teacher and school teacher, known for University of Otago.

Mary Winifred Aitken (née Betts; 11 May 1894 – 29 April 1971) was a New Zealand botanist. She was the first female lecturer at the University of Otago.

Biography Born in Nelson on 11 May 1894, Betts was the daughter of printer and stationer Alfred George Betts and Ada Betts (née Grindley). Known to friends as Winnie, she was educated at Nelson College for Girls and received her Bachelor of Science (1916) and Master of Science (1917)

Winifred Aitken died in Edinburgh on 29 April 1971.

Recognition In 2017, Betts was selected as one of the Royal Society of New Zealand's "150 women in 150 words".

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Important facts

Born

11 May 1894, Nelson

Birth century

19th century

Died

29 April 1971, Edinburgh

Occupation

Botanist, university teacher, school teacher

Nationality

New Zealand

Known for

University of Otago

Education

Nelson College for Girls, University of Otago

Employers

University of Otago, Otago Boys' High School, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

Also known as

Mary Betts, Mary Winifred Betts, Mary Aitken, Mrs Alexander Craig Aitken, Winifred Betts, M. Winifred Betts

Mary Winifred Aitken

Family & relationships

Spouse

Alexander Aitken

People in Mary Winifred Betts Aitken's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

George Betts

1843 – 1902

Cricketer

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Mary Winifred Betts Aitken's

Charles Algernon Parsons

1854 – 1931

Engineer

Giovanni Battista Grassi

Percy Alexander MacMahon

Frequently asked questions

Who was Mary Winifred Betts Aitken?

New Zealand botanist and university lecturer (1894-1971)

When was Mary Winifred Betts Aitken born?

Mary Winifred Betts Aitken was born on 11 May 1894 in Nelson.

When did Mary Winifred Betts Aitken die?

Mary Winifred Betts Aitken died on 29 April 1971 in Edinburgh.

What was Mary Winifred Betts Aitken's occupation?

Mary Winifred Betts Aitken was a botanist, university teacher and school teacher.

What was Mary Winifred Betts Aitken known for?

Mary Winifred Betts Aitken was known for University of Otago.

What nationality was Mary Winifred Betts Aitken?

Mary Winifred Betts Aitken was New Zealand.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Mary Winifred Betts Aitken

· Wikidata: Q59483956

· DBpedia: Winifred Betts

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Mary Winifred Betts Aitken. https://biography.guide/mary-winifred-betts-aitken/

MLA: "Mary Winifred Betts Aitken." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/mary-winifred-betts-aitken/.

Chicago: "Mary Winifred Betts Aitken." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/mary-winifred-betts-aitken/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-22 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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