Although perhaps uniquely the profession of landscape architecture has enjoyed an equal balance of male and female members, the lives, work and records of women members, however, has been less equally represented. FOLAR's ongoing talk series, some, like this one, with the Gardens Trust, has endeavoured to correct this imbalance.
This particular group of six - Susan Jellicoe, Sheila Haywood, Brenda Colvin, Mary Mitchell, Marjory Allen and Marian Thompson - comprise some of the earliest pioneers in the profession who contributed to the expertise, development and awareness of the landscape profession in many different ways. It also includes two women from later generations, invariably inspired by the work of earlier designers, and their contemporaries, and who went on to lay down their own paths. We will never run out of valuable candidates for this ongoing series of talks.
The speakers we invited to share their knowledge about these remarkable women - Sally Ingram, Paula Laycock, Hal Moggridge, Joy Burgess, Wendy Titman and Bruce Thompson - have each known, worked with or researched into one of these six women.
Susan Pares Jellicoe (1907-1986) joined the office of Jellicoe, Page and Wilson as a secretary in 1936 and went on to become a highly regarded honorary member of the Institute of Landscape Architects, collaborating with Geoffrey Jellicoe in all aspects of his work. What is particularly enjoyable about this talk
Read MoreThis talk explores the life and works of Brenda Colvin (1897-1981), beginning with her childhood in India and her early garden design practice (1922–39), an activity she continued throughout her career. As a thoughtful theorist of landscape, the talk is interspersed with brief quotations from her writings. By 1951 she was elected President of the Institute of Landscape Architects
Read MoreSheila Haywood (1911-1993) studied at the Architectural Association in London from 1929-1934 during a period of intense student activism and change in the architectural profession. She did not become as well-known as some of her contemporaries. However, she played a significant role in the development of the profession of landscape architecture, as is reflected in her …
Read MoreMary Mitchell (1923–1988) has been in the shadows of the history of our profession - even though she remains one of only four women landscape architects with an ODNB entry. Trying to find to find sufficient research material to build up a picture of Mary Mitchell's life and works has proved challenging, but from incomplete threads,
Read MoreMarjory Allen wrought change through everything she did. Known, by some, for the Selfridges Roof Garden in London – a relatively new concept in garden design in the 1920’s – it was the impetus for the garden which matters most. This beautiful place wasn’t created for wealthy customers but for shop girls who Marjory believed needed, nay deserved, to breath fresh(er) air
Read MoreThe work of Marian Thompson (Grierson) 1936-1999, was driven by a love of plants and nature. She is fondly remembered not only for her professional achievements but also for her great sense of humour, infectious smile, enthusiasm, and ability to teach and inspire others. There was never a dull moment in her company.
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