Born in 1881, Westwell, Kent, England
Died April 15, 1969, London, England

Remembering her childhood years, Lucy Evelyn Cheesman (who rarely used the name “Lucy”) described them as “care-free happy days soaking in wildlife.” She and her brothers and sisters lived a comfortable country life in a small village in Kent, their father a member of England’s privileged class. They spent much of their time outdoors, collecting its treasures—snails, worms, plants, and flowers.

Evelyn was particularly drawn to the natural and biological sciences, and hoped to become a veterinarian. But at that time the veterinary college she wanted to attend did not admit women. So she began to educate herself while working at other jobs, reading about animal anatomy and helping as a nurse in a dog hospital.

Discovers the science of insects

During World War I Cheesman served as an...