Delap, Maude Jane

Maude Jane Delap (1866-1953)

Maude Jane Delap (1866-1953)

This plaque commemorating Maude Jane Delap was put up by the National Science & Engineering Plaques Committee.

Courtesy of the National Science & Engineering Plaques Committee

Maude Jane Delap (1866-1953)
Courtesy of the National Science & Engineering Plaques Committee

Maude Jane Delap (1866-1953)

This plaque commemorating Maude Jane Delap was put up by the National Science & Engineering Plaques Committee.

Courtesy of the National Science & Engineering Plaques Committee

Enlarge image

The Delap Sisters

Donegal-born Maude Delap maintained a laboratory in her home in Valentia, where she did much significant marine work.

Courtesy of the National Science & Engineering Plaques Committee

The Delap Sisters
Courtesy of the National Science & Engineering Plaques Committee

The Delap Sisters

Donegal-born Maude Delap maintained a laboratory in her home in Valentia, where she did much significant marine work.

Courtesy of the National Science & Engineering Plaques Committee

Enlarge image

Maude Delap was born in County Donegal but spent much of her life on Valentia Island in County Kerry. While she had no formal education, her work as a marine biologist is of significance. In Valentia she maintained a laboratory in her home.

Delap had many publications in the Irish Naturalist on marine biology, both flora and fauna, and many of her notes and specimens can be found in the Natural History Museum in Dublin.

She elucidated the life cycle of a number of hydroids of jellyfish (medusae and hydra). She contributed to the Valentia Harbour Survey, undertaken by Edward Browne of University College London.

Carlgren and Stephenson named a sea anemone discovered by her in her honour; Edwardsia delapiae. She was made an associate of the Linnean Society in 1936.