DR. DOROTHY ASHWORTH, whose untimely death at the age of thirty-six occurred on October 4, was, we had assumed, one of our coming plant pathologists. Her work on plant rusts began at the Royal Holloway College after she graduated from there in 1929, and it was during her second postgraduate year that Dr. Holden, on a visit to the College, saw and appreciated her skilful and immaculate technique in the isolation of sporidia and her inoculations with single sporidia. She was, in the following year, awarded a research studentship at University College, Nottingham, and continued the work in Prof. Holden's laboratory. The next year found her working in the Cryptogamic Laboratory of the University of Manchester, and from there she passed to the laboratory of the Royal Horticultural Society's Gardens at Wisley as assistant mycologist. Her work has been characterized throughout by exceptional thoroughness and sincerity. Her modest, unassuming manner masked a critical approach, sound judgment and a firm opinion. Her composed demeanour covered a meticulous care of the material in her charge and a constant watchfulness. There was no impatience for results, no haste to publish. Her attitude was simply that of a student seeking the truth. Science can ill spare such a faithful servant.

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DOI

https://doi.org/10.1038/154571b0

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