Catherine Strickland has historically been in the shadow of her husband Hugh and her father, Sir William Jardine. However, she was a significant figure and accomplished natural historian in her own right.
She was a talented illustrator; her vivid depictions of birds brought many of Hugh Strickland and William Jardine’s publications to life. She administered her husband Hugh’s substantial collections after his early death, eventually overseeing the transfer of 6000 bird specimens to Cambridge University, where they remain to this day. Her name survives on labels in the Worcestershire collections.
Sadly, we know relatively little about her and her life. If you’d like to help us unearth more details of the life of this 19th century trowelblazer, please get in touch!
Ice Age Worcestershire 