Gertrude Simmons Burlingham
Encyclopedia
Gertrude Simmons Burlingham (1872–1952) was an early 20th century mycologist
best known for her work on American Russula
and Lactarius
and pioneering the use of microscopic spore
features and iodine
staining for species identification. Her life outside scientific research has been little documented with the exception of the most basic biographical information.
on April 21, 1872. Her life prior to obtaining a Master of Science
degree from Syracuse University
in 1898 is not known. From 1898 to her retirement in 1934, she taught high-school biology
in Binghamton
and Brooklyn
, but despite earning a Ph.D.
from Columbia University
in 1908, never taught at college level. She was also never married.
As a postgraduate, she worked primarily at the New York Botanical Garden
(NYBG) under an agreement between that institution and Columbia University for doctoral studies, the first woman to gain a Ph.D. from the program. At the garden, she collaborated with William A. Murrill (she would eventually name Russula murrillii after him). Soon after starting her scientific career, she began spending a lot of time in Vermont
, where she owned a secondary home in Newfane
, Windham County
, an area that was the topic of her very first scientific publication.
Tribe Lactarieae, formed of the genera Lactarius (which she called Lactaria) and Russula, was her specialty and the topic of both her doctoral thesis (published in the Memoirs of the Torrey Botanical Club) as well as the majority of her publications, such as the 1910 treatment of the tribe for the North American Flora. Russula specialist Ray Fatto credited Burlingham with noting the importance of spore ornamentation in separating the species of this notoriously troublesome genus. Although some authors, like Michael Kuo, have disputed the usefulness of that criterion, it has remained of great importance in the absence of genetic research to clarify the status of many species. In his obituary, Fred J. Seaver says that "[s]he had a wide knowledge of the fungi in general and having grown up on a farm she was an all-round naturalist."
After she retired from teaching in 1934, she moved to Florida, joining there several other retired mycologists, and collaborated primarily with Henry Curtis Beardslee (she would also name a Russula after him, and write his obituary). She collected primarily in the Northeast and Florida, but also the Pacific Northwest
and on one occasion, traveled to Scandinavia where she worked with Lars Romell, Seth Lundell and Jakob Lange
. She died in her Winter Park, Florida
home on January 11, 1952 from an unspecified illness and was buried on Newfane Hill at her own request.
Her papers, personal library (including some rare early works) and 10,000 specimens herbarium
were bequeathed to the NYBG, where she funded a fellowship
to allow for students of mycology to use the garden's facilities. This fellowship was granted to 27 students between 1956 and 1994. Her papers at the library include a large correspondence covering 40 years, research papers and manuscripts, field notes, several hundred pictures and glass negatives (mostly of specimens), as well as some 60 watercolor illustrations by fellow mycologist Ann Hibbard.
Mycology
Mycology is the branch of biology concerned with the study of fungi, including their genetic and biochemical properties, their taxonomy and their use to humans as a source for tinder, medicinals , food and entheogens, as well as their dangers, such as poisoning or...
best known for her work on American Russula
Russula
Around 750 worldwide species of mycorrhizal mushrooms compose the genus Russula. They are typically common, fairly large, and brightly colored - making them one of the most recognizable genera among mycologists and mushroom collectors...
and Lactarius
Lactarius
Lactarius is a genus of mushroom-producing fungi. The genus, collectively known commonly as milk-caps, are characterized by the fact that they exude a milky fluid if cut or damaged...
and pioneering the use of microscopic spore
Spore
In biology, a spore is a reproductive structure that is adapted for dispersal and surviving for extended periods of time in unfavorable conditions. Spores form part of the life cycles of many bacteria, plants, algae, fungi and some protozoa. According to scientist Dr...
features and iodine
Iodine
Iodine is a chemical element with the symbol I and atomic number 53. The name is pronounced , , or . The name is from the , meaning violet or purple, due to the color of elemental iodine vapor....
staining for species identification. Her life outside scientific research has been little documented with the exception of the most basic biographical information.
Biography
Gertrude S. Burlingham was born in Mexico, New YorkMexico (town), New York
Mexico is a town in the northeast part of Oswego County, New York, United States. The population was 5,181 at the 2000 census. The town contains a village, also called Mexico. NY 104/Main Street passes through the village. NY 69 passes through the town of Mexico and comes to an end in the village,...
on April 21, 1872. Her life prior to obtaining a Master of Science
Master of Science
A Master of Science is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is typically studied for in the sciences including the social sciences.-Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay:...
degree from Syracuse University
Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
in 1898 is not known. From 1898 to her retirement in 1934, she taught high-school biology
Biology
Biology is a natural science concerned with the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. Biology is a vast subject containing many subdivisions, topics, and disciplines...
in Binghamton
Binghamton, New York
Binghamton is a city in the Southern Tier of New York in the United States. It is near the Pennsylvania border, in a bowl-shaped valley at the confluence of the Susquehanna and Chenango Rivers...
and Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
, but despite earning a Ph.D.
Ph.D.
A Ph.D. is a Doctor of Philosophy, an academic degree.Ph.D. may also refer to:* Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*Piled Higher and Deeper, a web comic strip*PhD: Phantasy Degree, a Korean comic series* PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
from Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
in 1908, never taught at college level. She was also never married.
As a postgraduate, she worked primarily at the New York Botanical Garden
New York Botanical Garden
- See also :* Education in New York City* List of botanical gardens in the United States* List of museums and cultural institutions in New York City- External links :* official website** blog*...
(NYBG) under an agreement between that institution and Columbia University for doctoral studies, the first woman to gain a Ph.D. from the program. At the garden, she collaborated with William A. Murrill (she would eventually name Russula murrillii after him). Soon after starting her scientific career, she began spending a lot of time in Vermont
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
, where she owned a secondary home in Newfane
Newfane, Vermont
Newfane is the shire town of Windham County, Vermont, United States. The population was 1,680 at the 2000 census. The town includes the villages of Newfane and Williamsville.-History:...
, Windham County
Windham County, Vermont
Windham County is a county located in the U.S. state of Vermont. As of 2010, the population was 44,513. Its shire town is Newfane.-Geography:According to the U.S...
, an area that was the topic of her very first scientific publication.
Tribe Lactarieae, formed of the genera Lactarius (which she called Lactaria) and Russula, was her specialty and the topic of both her doctoral thesis (published in the Memoirs of the Torrey Botanical Club) as well as the majority of her publications, such as the 1910 treatment of the tribe for the North American Flora. Russula specialist Ray Fatto credited Burlingham with noting the importance of spore ornamentation in separating the species of this notoriously troublesome genus. Although some authors, like Michael Kuo, have disputed the usefulness of that criterion, it has remained of great importance in the absence of genetic research to clarify the status of many species. In his obituary, Fred J. Seaver says that "[s]he had a wide knowledge of the fungi in general and having grown up on a farm she was an all-round naturalist."
After she retired from teaching in 1934, she moved to Florida, joining there several other retired mycologists, and collaborated primarily with Henry Curtis Beardslee (she would also name a Russula after him, and write his obituary). She collected primarily in the Northeast and Florida, but also the Pacific Northwest
Pacific Northwest
The Pacific Northwest is a region in northwestern North America, bounded by the Pacific Ocean to the west and, loosely, by the Rocky Mountains on the east. Definitions of the region vary and there is no commonly agreed upon boundary, even among Pacific Northwesterners. A common concept of the...
and on one occasion, traveled to Scandinavia where she worked with Lars Romell, Seth Lundell and Jakob Lange
Jakob Emanuel Lange
Jakob Emanuel Lange , was a Danish mycologist who studied the systematics of gilled mushrooms.His most well-known work is Flora Agaricina Danica, a five-volume plate work on the Agaricales of Denmark....
. She died in her Winter Park, Florida
Winter Park, Florida
Winter Park is a suburban city in Orange County, Florida, United States. The population was 24,090 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2006 estimates, the city had a population of 28,083. It is part of the Orlando–Kissimmee Metropolitan Statistical Area...
home on January 11, 1952 from an unspecified illness and was buried on Newfane Hill at her own request.
Her papers, personal library (including some rare early works) and 10,000 specimens herbarium
Herbarium
In botany, a herbarium – sometimes known by the Anglicized term herbar – is a collection of preserved plant specimens. These specimens may be whole plants or plant parts: these will usually be in a dried form, mounted on a sheet, but depending upon the material may also be kept in...
were bequeathed to the NYBG, where she funded a fellowship
Scholarship
A scholarship is an award of financial aid for a student to further education. Scholarships are awarded on various criteria usually reflecting the values and purposes of the donor or founder of the award.-Types:...
to allow for students of mycology to use the garden's facilities. This fellowship was granted to 27 students between 1956 and 1994. Her papers at the library include a large correspondence covering 40 years, research papers and manuscripts, field notes, several hundred pictures and glass negatives (mostly of specimens), as well as some 60 watercolor illustrations by fellow mycologist Ann Hibbard.
Selected publications
For a more complete list, see Seaver's obituary.- Burlingham, G. S. (1910). "Agaricaceae – Lactaria". North American Flora 9 (3): 172–200.
- _______________ (1915). "Agaricaceae – Lactarieae". North American Flora 9 (4): 201–236.
- _______________ (1944). "Studies in North American russulae". Mycologia 36: 104–120.
- _______________ (1945). "Noteworthy species of Lepiota and Lactaria". Mycologia 37: 53–64.
- _______________ (1948). "Henry Curtis Beardslee". Mycologia 40: 505-506.
External links
- Abundantly illustrated biographical sketch at the NYBG