Mary Isolen Fergusson
Mary Isolen Fergusson (1914–1997), civil engineer
1914 Born at Devonport, the eldest daughter of John Newbery Fraser Fergusson MB (1881–1943), physician, and his wife, Mildred Gladys, née Mercer (1886–1947).
1936 Graduated from the University of Edinburgh with a second-class honours in civil engineering - the first woman in the engineering department to graduate with honours.
Secured a pupillage at Blyth and Blyth, an Edinburgh-based civil engineering consulting firm.
1939 Elected A. M. Inst. C. E.
1948 Became a partner in Blyth and Blyth.
1957 She was the first woman to be elected to be a Member of the Inst Civil Engineers. Soon afterwards she succeeded James Reed as senior partner in the firm.
Blyth and Blyth were associated with a succession of outstanding examples of Scottish modernist architecture, working with architects from local authorities and private practices.
1978 Resigned as partner but continued to act as a consultant
She encouraged young women into the profession through work with the Women's Engineering Society and elsewhere.
1979 Awarded OBE
1997 Died in London
See Also
Sources of Information
- Biography of Mary Isolen Fergusson, ODNB