By Ariella Morris
Kathleen Lonsdale shattered the glass ceiling by becoming one of the first women to be elected to the Royal Society in 1945, and the first female professor at UCL. For centuries, women had been excluded from this prestigious body of scientists, making her achievement all the more groundbreaking. Lonsdale’s inspirational story depicts how innovative science and social courage can redefine both chemistry and women’s roles in academia.
Born in Ireland in 1903, and moving to London by 1908, the Lonsdale family had troubles [1]. She studied at Ilford County High School for Girls, but later transferred to the boys' school to study science and mathematics, subjects unavailable to girls at the time. An example of how institutional biases restricted women’s scientific potential [1]. Despite these setbacks, Lonsdale received the highest grade in physics that any student at a London University ever had. She graduated in 1922 with a Bachelor of Science (BSc) from Bedford College for Women and later graduated in 1924 with a Master of Science in physics from the University College London [2].
Only seven years after receiving her Master's Degree, Lonsdale used X-ray diffraction to prove the structure of benzene. She later studied at the University of Leeds under Professor Christopher Ingold, who suggested she research the crystal structures of hexamethylbenzene and hexachlorobenzene. She was able to show that the molecules had a planar, hexagonal structure, which settled the enduring dispute about the structure of benzene [3].
This advanced crystallography for organic compounds laid the groundwork for modern materials and medicinal chemistry [4]. Today, this underpins drug design, as many pharmaceuticals are built on aromatic scaffolds. Continually, Lonsdale pioneered methods for solving the structures of increasingly complex organic molecules. These methods became essential for biochemistry, being used to determine the structure of vitamins, hormones and proteins. In medicinal chemistry, structural knowledge is key to understanding how molecules interact with biological targets, for example, enzymes and receptors [5].
In 1945, she was among the first two women elected as Fellows of the Royal Society, in spite of facing institutional barriers [6]. At the time, workplace bias meant that laboratories and research institutions often lacked facilities for women. Furthermore, women were expected to take up assistant roles rather than lead research, prohibiting women from making significant contributions.
In 1946, Lonsdale returned to UCL. She was appointed Professor of Chemistry and head of the Department of Crystallography. Lonsdale was the first woman to be made a professor at UCL [7]. Breaking barriers for Women in Science. She actively campaigned for equal opportunities in academia whilst balancing family responsibilities and challenging gender norms. Her story is often cited in discussions of female representation and equity in science, showcasing how talent can flourish once barriers are lifted.
Kathleen Lonsdale's impact is now firmly woven into institutional memory - the very building in my department (Earth Science) bears her name. Her legacy serves as a powerful reminder that future scientists are not bound by imposed limitations but can transcend them. Lonsdale’s career continues to inspire generations of researchers, symbolising both scientific excellence and social progress.
Citations:
1 "Paper-Research: Bio of Kathleen Lonsdale". www.paper-research.com. Retrieved 15 September 2025
2 Authier, André (1 August 2013). Early Days of X-ray Crystallography. OUP Oxford. ISBN 9780191635014.
3 "'Where are your intelligent mothers to come from?': marriage and family in the scientific career of Dame Kathleen Lonsdale FRS (1903–71)". Notes and Records. 63 (1): 81–94. doi:10.1098/rsnr.2008.0026. ISSN 0035-9149. PMID 19579358
4 Lonsdale, Kathleen. “X-ray Evidence on the Structure of the Benzene Nucleus.” Transactions of the Faraday Society 25 (1929): 352-366. https://doi.org/10.1039/TF9292500352
5 Rochel, N., Wurtz, J. M., Mitschler, A., Klaholz, B., & Moras, D. (2000). The crystal structure of the nuclear receptor for vitamin D bound to its natural ligand. Molecular cell, 5(1), 173–179. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1097-2765(00)80413-x
6 Royal Society. “Pioneering Scientists Who Were First Female Fellows of the Royal Society Commemorated in New Documentaries Presented by Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock.” Royal Society, March 24, 2025. https://royalsociety.org/news/2025/03/marjory-stephenson-kathleen-lonsdale-anniversary/
7 University College London. “Women in UCL Chemistry.” Accessed September 15, 2025. https://www.ucl.ac.uk/mathematical-physical-sciences/chemistry/equality-diversity-inclusion-edi/women-ucl-chemistry