Discovering Dorothea: The Life of the Pioneering Fossil-Hunter Dorothea Bate

by Karolyn Shindler

In 1898, a 19-year-old girl marched into the Natural History Museum in South Kensington, England and demanded a job. At the time, no women were employed there as scientists. For the determined Dorothea Bate, however, this was the first step in an extraordinary career as a pioneering explorer and fossil-hunter as well as the beginning of a 50-year association with the Museum. A woman of immense charm, wit, and intelligence, Bate came to know many of the greatest archaeologists and paleontologists of the 20th century. Although internationally respected as a paleontologist during her lifetime, she was largely forgotten after her death. Now, drawing on letters, papers, and diaries, Karolyn Shindler’s compelling biography rediscovers the life of a unique and indomitable woman.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Science, History, Feminism

390 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2005

About the author

Karolyn Shindler read Modern History at St Hugh’s College, Oxford. She is a former producer and editor at the BBC. She also worked as a political consultant to BBC World Service, and is a contributor to the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography.

Reviews

[Deborah Pickstone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting both as an account of her experiences and travels and as a record of women's experience trying to break into male bastions at that time. Also interesting as an account of the natural history and paleontological science background. Read for the geocaching challenge.

[Rachel Groves · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this biography of an extraordinary woman. Miss Bates worked incredibly hard and became a highly respected knowledgeable expert in her field. The period is also fascinating as it spans from 1898 to the 1950's.

The only audiobook version I found was the one I listed to from Calibre Audio. It's not the slickest narration but I kind of love that about it. She does a fantastic job with some very difficult wordy subjects. The hesistations and infrequent stumble over words is very endearing.

Trigger warnings would include the trapping and killing of small mammals and birds as part of the scientific studies. Also covers part of World War II with bombings in Britain. Plus Miss Bates did become a Christian Scientist in later life though the matter of her health in this context is handled sensitively. Nothing struck me as jarring or difficult aside from a few animal mistreatments by contemporary standards.

Really very interesting and I am so pleased to have got to hear her story, well written and narrated.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not exciting in its account of Dorothea's life (few personal letters survive), but fascinating in the stories of her travels and ground-breaking work in paleontology, based heavily upon her work journals and museum archives. Her contribution was immense, and the book carefully documents that.

[Sue Chaplin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating read about a woman that should be as well known as Mary Anning. Her contribution to science at a time when women were not encouraged to be scientists is amazing. One fact I did find puzzling is that this woman of science believed did not seem to believe in that behind medicine and instead believed in "Christian Science" and sought out a healer when ill.

[Pers · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating account of a pioneering young woman scientist who, like many such others of her sex, has been largely ignored by history.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

loved this book so much the kind of book i enjoy