Anna Maria Hussey and Frances Reed: Pioneering Women in Mycology

Anna maria Hussey and Frances Reed: The fungi sisters

In the field of mycology, countless female scientists have helped shape modern understanding of a once misunderstood botanical field. Yet, their invaluable contributions to the sciences often fade into obscurity, overshadowed by their male counterparts.

One such case is that of Anna Maria Hussey (1805—1853) and her sister, Frances Reed (1810-1872), two Victorian-era women in science whose extraordinary work with mushrooms significantly contributed to the definition of mycology as an individual branch of biology.

The Early Lives of Anna Maria Hussey and Frances Reed

Born in the early nineteenth century, Anna Maria Hussey grew up in an era when women’s participation in science was mostly relegated to the margins. Despite the societal restrictions, she developed a keen curiosity for the natural world, particularly fungi—a subject of study that was still in its infancy at the time.

Her marriage to Rev. Dr Thomas John Hussey (1797—1866), a clergyman with scientific interests, provided her with access to intellectual circles, including an acquaintance with the prominent naturalist Charles Darwin (1809—1882), where she could develop her expertise. Within these spaces, she honed her skills in botanical illustration, bringing mushrooms to life with vivid accuracy.

Hussey’s younger sister, Frances Reed, played an equally vital role in their scientific endeavours. The two worked closely together, producing some of the most exquisite mycological illustrations of their time. Their watercolour paintings of British fungi served as stunning works of art but also as functioned as essential scientific references. These detailed illustrations were not just aesthetically pleasing but were crucial in advancing the study of fungi, offering scientists and enthusiasts an accurate visual record in an era before widespread scientific photography.

Women in Mycology: A Hidden Legacy

The Victorian era saw mycology emerge as a key scientific discipline, yet it remained largely unexplored. While it was closely linked to botany for much of this period, the unique nature of fungal biology eventually led to its separation from traditional botany. While male scientists like Miles Joseph Berkeley (1803-1889) and Charles David Badham (1805-1857) are credited with pioneering the field, producing fungal taxonomies and pathologies, women like Hussey and Reed played a crucial yet often overlooked role in documenting and illustrating fungi.

The sisters worked closely with their male contemporaries, illustrating their publications and corresponding on the subject in depth. Their detailed illustrations brought credibility and beauty to the scientific writings of both Berkeley and Badham, securing their work as foundational in the study of mycology, while the sisters often remained unacknowledged for their contributions.

Victorian female botanists

The Victorian scientific establishment was notoriously hostile to women. The Linnean Society of London, one of the most prestigious scientific organisations, did not admit women until 1904, long after Hussey and Reed’s time. Women were often excluded from formal training and professional networks, making it nearly impossible to be recognised as legitimate scientists.

For instance, Beatrix Potter (1866-1943) made groundbreaking discoveries in fungal reproduction yet was barred from presenting her work at the Linnean Society because of her gender—her scientific paper was submitted on her behalf by fellow scientist George Massee (1845-1917) but later withdrawn.

Hussey’s correspondence with renowned mycologists such as Berkeley indicates that her work was highly regarded, yet she was rarely credited for her scientific observations. Despite these barriers, her legacy endured, with Berkeley later naming a fungal genus, Husseia, in her honour—a rare acknowledgement of a woman’s contribution to mycology during that period.

Other lesser-known female mycologists also faced a lack of acknowledgement from the scientific community. Along with Hussey and Reed, Mary Elizabeth Banning (1822—1903) and M.F. Lewis (1860—1903) made significant contributions to fungal research in the early twentieth century but also struggled for recognition.

A Passion for Fungi: Their Work and Achievements

Among the most notable achievements of the sisters is the seminal work Illustrations of British Mycology (1847–1855), a two-volume collection featuring breathtakingly detailed renderings of various fungi species. At a time when photography was not yet a practical tool for scientific documentation, such illustrations were vital for recording and disseminating new knowledge.

Hussey’s ability to capture the intricate textures, colours, and structures of fungi was unparalleled, bridging the gap beautifully between science and art. Her illustrations appear more realistically driven than those produced by her sister, whose works hold a more whimsical air, staged as if fairies could stroll through each image.

Honouring the fungi sisters

Today, the art of scientific illustration remains a cornerstone of the natural sciences, with the work of Anna Maria Hussey and Frances Reed continuing to hold relevance in the field of mycology. Their painstakingly detailed paintings serve as artistic masterpieces and invaluable scientific records of nineteenth-century British fungi.

Though their names may not be widely known, Hussey and Reed were undoubtedly pioneers of mycology, producing some of the most exquisite Victorian-era mycological illustrations still admired today. Their work highlights the deeply intertwined nature of science and art, while proving that women’s contributions, long ignored, must be acknowledged and celebrated.