Dr Agnes Walker (1930 - 2011) Botanist

Lecture notes, papers relating to research, booklets, factsheets, journal articles, newspaper articles, conference proceedings 1980-2007.

Agnes Walker was born 18 March 1930 in Langside where she was also raised. She was the eldest daughter of James and Elizabeth McDonald. She was educated at Hutchesons Girls Grammar School where she was the first science dux. Her studies at Glasgow University had to be curtailed when she contracted TB, but she then completed an ordinary science degree and then went on to work at the National Engineering Laboratory. She later returned to study and stayed on for post-graduate research into archaeological dating through pollen, and then for a project on tumour response and dissemination following hypothermia for which she was rewarded a PhD. Her knowledge of traditional uses of herbs in Scotland was displayed in A Garden of Herbs published in 2003. At a talk at The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow library, her attention was drawn to a hand-written notebook of herbal remedies from 18th century Scotland, which she transcribed and her work was subsequently published on the College website. She died on 23 August 2011.

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Book by Dr Agnes Walker 'A Garden of Herbs,' 2003.

17th century book of herbal remedies RCPSG 1/20/3/1.