Margaret Fountaine defied the social conventions of Victorian England in favour of personal freedom. She spent most of her life travelling solo around the world in pursuit of specimens for her butterfly collection, and died recognised not only as a respected lepidopterist, but also as a indefatigable traveller. Since her death in 1940 she has fallen into obscurity, but now a new book attempts to celebrate her life and work. Jenni speaks to its author Natascha Scott-Stokes about the wild and fearless life of Margaret Fountaine.
Wild and Fearless: The Life of Margaret Fountaine by Natascha Scott Stokes Published by Peter Owen ISBN: 0720612764
An exhibition runs from September 23 at Norwich Castle Museum and for the first time ever the Fountaine- Neimy Collection of 23,000 butterflies will be opened to the public in its entirety.
Butterfly Day at Norwich Castle Museum takes place on Sept 23 from 11.00am Natascha Scott-Stokes will be giving a gallery talk at 11.30.
Photograph courtesy of Norwich Castle Musuem
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