# Kathleen Lonsdale

> Irish crystallographer (1903-1971)

**Wikidata**: [Q7513](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7513)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kathleen_Lonsdale)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kathleen-lonsdale

## Summary
Kathleen Lonsdale (née Yardley) was an Irish crystallographer recognized for her significant contributions to the study of crystal structures. She was a pioneering figure in science, notably elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society and awarded the Davy Medal for her work in chemistry.

## Biography
- **Born:** 1903
- **Died:** 1971
- **Nationality:** Irish
- **Known for:** Scientific study of crystal structures (Crystallography)
- **Field(s):** Crystallography, Engineering, Peace Activism
- **Aliases:** Kathleen Yardley, Dame Kathleen Lonsdale

## Contributions
Kathleen Lonsdale's work primarily centered on the scientific study of crystal structures. Her contributions to the field were recognized through the naming of "lonsdaleite," an allotrope of carbon, which stands as a lasting namesake to her scientific legacy. She was actively involved in the scientific community, contributing to the work and mission of the Royal Institution, an organization dedicated to scientific education and research.

## FAQs
**What awards and recognition did Kathleen Lonsdale receive?**
She was a recipient of the Davy Medal, a chemistry award given by the Royal Society. Additionally, she held the title of Fellow of the Royal Society and received an honorary doctor of the University of Bath.

**Which institutions was Kathleen Lonsdale affiliated with?**
She was affiliated with University College London, Bedford College, Royal Holloway (University of London), the University of Leeds, and the Royal Institution.

**Was Kathleen Lonsdale involved in activities outside of crystallography?**
Yes, she was identified as a peace activist, focused on avoiding war, and was connected to the Women's Engineering Society.

## Why They Matter
Kathleen Lonsdale's influence extends deeply into the physical sciences through her role as a crystallographer. Her election as a Fellow of the Royal Society highlights her standing as a leading figure in the English scientific establishment. The naming of lonsdaleite after her underscores the fundamental nature of her discoveries regarding carbon allotropes. Beyond her research, her association with the Women's Engineering Society and her role as a peace activist demonstrate a broader commitment to societal and educational causes.

## Notable For
- Being an Irish crystallographer active from 1903 to 1971.
- Serving as a Fellow of the Royal Society.
- Receiving the Davy Medal for contributions to chemistry.
- Having the mineral lonsdaleite named in her honor.
- Being an honorary doctor of the University of Bath.
- Membership in the Women's Engineering Society.

## Body

### Identity and Professional Focus
Kathleen Lonsdale was a human who lived from 1903 to 1971. She was primarily identified as an Irish crystallographer, dedicating her career to crystallography, the scientific study of crystal structures. She was also recognized as an engineer and a professional practitioner of engineering. Her work in these scientific fields established her as a prominent figure in the United Kingdom's scientific community.

### Affiliated Institutions
Throughout her career, Lonsdale maintained strong ties with several major academic and research institutions in the United Kingdom:
*   **University College London:** A public research university in London, England, noted for its significant employee base and inception in 1826.
*   **Bedford College:** A former college in London that was originally founded as a women's college in 1849.
*   **Royal Holloway, University of London:** A university located in Surrey, UK, established in 1879.
*   **University of Leeds:** A university in Leeds, United Kingdom, founded in 1904.
*   **Royal Institution:** A scientific education and research organization based in London, established in 1799.

### Organizational Memberships
Lonsdale was connected to key learned societies and organizations. She was associated with the **Royal Society**, an English learned society for science founded on November 1, 1660, which plays a critical role in the scientific landscape of the UK (country: ). She was also linked to the **Women's Engineering Society**, a women's engineering organization founded on June 23, 1919, aimed at supporting women in the engineering profession.

### Awards and Honors
Her scientific achievements were formally recognized through several prestigious awards:
*   **Fellow of the Royal Society:** She was elected as a Fellow, a distinction for individuals in London including Honorary, Foreign, and Royal Fellows.
*   **Davy Medal:** She received this chemistry award, which is granted by the Royal Society. The award was established in 1877.
*   **Honorary Doctorate:** She was recognized as an honorary doctor of the University of Bath in the United Kingdom.

### Scientific Legacy
A significant part of her legacy is encapsulated in **lonsdaleite**, an allotrope of carbon named after her. This scientific naming ensures her permanent association with the study of carbon structures. Her work remains a reference point in the field of crystallography, reflected in the 37 sitelinks and the Wikipedia title "Kathleen Lonsdale" associated with her biography.

## References

1. [Nature](https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-019-03306-9)
2. [Award winners : Davy Medal](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1dsunM9ukGLgaW3HdG9cvJ_QKd7pWjGI0qi_fCb1ROD4/pubhtml?gid=1021770356&single=true)
3. general catalog of BnF
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. CiNii Research
6. [Source](http://archives.ucl.ac.uk/DServe/dserve.exe?dsqIni=Dserve.ini&dsqApp=Archive&dsqDb=Catalog&dsqCmd=NaviTree.tcl&dsqField=RefNo&dsqItem=LONSDALE#HERE)
7. SNAC
8. BnF authorities
9. Dictionary of Irish Biography
10. A historical dictionary of British women
11. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
12. BBC Things