British Museum (Natural History): Department of Entomology:"Neuropteroid" Orders...

This series consists largely of the research correspondence, files and artwork of Theresa R Clay (b 1911), and Peter N Lawrence (b 1933).

Access conditions: Subject to 30 year closure unless otherwise stated

The"Neuropteroid" Orders Section originally included all insects covered by the Linnean term Neuroptera, together with the Apterygota. W F Kirby was in charge of the collections until his retirement in 1909, being succeeded by Bruce Cummings from 1912 until his retirement due to ill health in 1917. Douglas E Kimmins and Martin E Moseley were employed part-time to work on the groups during the 1930s and 1940s, and Miss Longfield and Theresa R Clay (b 1911) worked voluntarily on the Odonata and Mallophaga respectively. The section was broken up when Theresa Clay was taken onto the staff in 1949 to take charge of the Mallophaga, Anoplura and Apterygota, and when responsibility for the Isoptera was transferred to the Commonwealth Office's Termite Research Unit under W V Harris in 1953. Kimmins was left looking after the remaining"Neuropteroid" groups. Peter N Lawrence (b 1933) was appointed in 1950, and began systematic work on the Collembola in 1954. In 1970 there were three sections: Isoptera, administered by the Termite Research Unit; Phthiraptera and Apterygota, comprising the bird and mammal lice, spring tails and other wingless insects, led by Theresa Clay; and Neuroptera, comprising lacewings, dragonflies etc, led by Kimmins.

Theresa Clay was educated at St Paul's Girls School and Edinburgh University. She carried out private research and collecting until 1938, when she became an Unofficial Worker at the Museum. She obtained a temporary post in 1949, and was finally established as a Senior Scientific Officer in 1952. Clay collected in India and Pakistan in 1951, the Western Himalayas in 1957, Trinidad and British Guiana in 1961, and Malaysia in 1974. She became an authority on bird lice, and was awarded a DSc by Edinburgh University in 1955. Clay became Deputy Keeper in 1970 and retired in 1975, soon after her marriage to R G Searight.