Norah Lillian Penston

Norah Lillian Penston (20 August 1903 – 1 February 1974) was a British botanist and academic administrator. She was principal of Bedford College, University of London, from 1951 to 1964. Penston published on the importance of mineral elements to plant physiology.

Early life and education Norah Lillian Penston was the daughter of A. J. Penston, and was born 20 August 1903.

Career Penston was demonstrator in Botany at Oxford in 1928–29. She then moved to King's College London, where she was assistant lecturer from 1933 to 1936 and lecturer from 1936 to 1945. In 1945 she became the first woman to be vice-principal of Wye College, part of the University of London, following its amalgamation with Swanley Horticultural College. Throughout her career she maintained teaching responsibilities, lecturing on mineral nutrition of plants and plant anatomy.

Penston was a member of the Senate of the University of London and on the council of several academic institutions. She was unmarried, and died on 1 February 1974.