Hertha Ayrton Blue Plaque

About This Blue Plaque

Hertha Ayrton (1854-1923) was a trailblazing British physicist and mathematician who made significant contributions to the understanding of electric arcs and the flow of water and air. Born Phoebe Sarah Marks, she later adopted the name Hertha and married the physicist William Edward Ayrton in 1885.

Ayrton was one of the first women to attend Girton College, Cambridge, where she studied mathematics. Despite completing the requirements, she was not awarded a degree due to her gender. Undeterred, she continued her scientific pursuits, focusing on the behavior of electric arcs and the flow of fluids.

In 1902, Ayrton became the first woman to read her own paper before the Institution of Electrical Engineers. Her groundbreaking work on electric arcs led to innovations in public lighting and cinema projectors. During World War I, she applied her knowledge of fluid dynamics to design a fan that could dispel poisonous gas from the trenches, saving countless lives. Ayrton was elected the first female member of the Institution of Electrical Engineers in 1899 and became the first woman to receive the Hughes Medal from the Royal Society in 1906.

From 1903 until her death in 1923, Hertha Ayrton resided at 41 Norfolk Square in the Borough of Westminster, London. This elegant terraced house, situated in a leafy square, provided a tranquil environment for her scientific work and family life. Westminster, a historic area in central London, has been home to numerous notable figures throughout history, including scientists, artists, and politicians.

The blue plaque commemorating Hertha Ayrton’s life and achievements was erected at her former residence in 2007, ensuring that her legacy continues to inspire future generations of scientists and advocates for women in STEM fields.