Fletcher, Jane Ada (1870-1956)

Field of activity
Ornithologist and Poet; children's author; historian (general); Indigenous culture recorder; ornithologist; schoolteacher
NLA Persistent Identifier
http://nla.gov.au/nla.party-632620

Biographies

FLETCHER, JANE ADA (1870-1956), teacher, ornithologist and author, was born on 18 September 1870 at Stonefield station, near Penshurst, Victoria, eldest of three daughters of Price Fletcher, a grazier from England who was later agricultural editor of the Queenslander, and his Victorian-born wife Sarah, née Cooper. Jane's early life was spent on Russell Island, Queensland, and at Acacia Grove, a sugar plantation at Mackay. When the family moved to Cleveland (Queensland), she was educated in Brisbane. Following their mother's death in 1889, the sisters returned to depression-ravaged Victoria and lived with relations at Bundoora. In 1892 Jane escaped 'Granny's acid tongue' by taking work on an aunt's farm at Wilmot in north-western Tasmania. Four years later she became a teacher of sewing (initially without pay) at West Kentish primary school; by 1899 she had qualified as a head teacher and was appointed to set up a school at Upper Wilmot. She supported her father (who died in 1906) and subsequently taught at Cleveland (Tasmania), Springfield, Woodbridge and Forcett.

View the full record at Australian Dictionary of Biography Online

Jane Fletcher published a number of books on nature and nature study, and broadcast on 7ZL Hobart and 3LO Melbourne. In 1934 she became the first woman to lecture to the Royal Society of Tasmania. She was an outstanding bird observer with a particular interest in crakes and rails.

Jane Fletcher began work on an aunt's farm in Wilmot, north-western Tasmania, from 1892-96. From 1896 she worked as a sewing teacher (initially without pay) at West Kentish Primary School. By 1899 she had qualified as a head teacher and was appointed to set up a school at Upper Wilmot. She later taught at Cleveland (Tasmania), Springfield, Woodbridge and Forcett.

Fletcher undertook fieldwork for Gregory Mathews (q.v.) until 1936. She was the first woman to deliver a lecture to the Royal Society of Tasmania (in 1934), of which she was a member. She was a foundation member in 1901 - and life member from 1945 - of the Royal Australasian Ornithologists' Union.

She wrote a number of children's books, including Stories from Nature (London, 1915) and Little Brown Piccaninnies of Tasmania (Sydney, 1950), her most popular children's book. She also wrote books and articles for adults on Tasmanian history, Aborigines and ornithology, her final book being Tasmania's Own Birds (1956).

On retirement, Fletcher opened part of her house at Eaglehawk Neck as a Youth Hostel.

View the full record at Australian Women's Register

Jane Ada Fletcher, the daughter of Price Fletcher, the 'Bush Naturalist' of Queensland, published a number of books on nature and nature study and broadcast on 7ZL Hobart and 3LO Melbourne. In 1934 she became the first woman to lecture to the Royal Society of Tasmania. She was an outstanding bird observer with a particular interest in crakes and rails.

Worked on an aunt's farm, Wilmot, north-western Tasmania 1892-96; teacher of sewing (initially without pay), West Kentish primary school 1896-99; qualified as a head teacher 1899 and appointed to set up a school at Upper Wilmot; later taught at Cleveland (Tasmania), Springfield, Woodbridge and Forcett; opened part of her house at Eaglehawk Neck as a Youth Hostel after retirement. Undertook fieldwork for Gregory Mathews (q.v.) until 1936. First woman to deliver a lecture to the Royal Society of Tasmania, of which she was a member, in 1934. Foundation member 1901 and life member 1945, Royal Australasian Ornithologists' Union. Writer of a number of children's books, including Stories from Nature (London, 1915) and Little Brown Piccaninnies of Tasmania (Sydney, 1950), her most popular children's book. Also wrote books and articles for adults on Tasmanian history, Aborigines and ornithology, her final book being Tasmania's Own Birds (1956).

View the full record at Encyclopedia of Australian Science

Related people and organisations

Resources for Jane Ada Fletcher

Selected resources (10)

Australian Dictionary of Biography Online

Australian Women's Register

  1. Fletcher, Jane Ada (1870-1956)Australian Dictionary of Biography Online : Fletcher, Jane Ada (1870-1956)
    Wall, Leonard
    [2006]
    Published: Australian National University
    Series: http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A140198b.htm
  2. Where are the Women in Australian science?
    Australian Science and Technology Heritage Centre
    [2003]
    Published: Australian Science and Technology Heritage Centre
    Series: http://www.austehc.unimelb.edu.au/wisa/wisa.html
  3. First in Their Field: Women and Australian Anthropology
    Marcus, Julie; Lepervanche, Marie de; McBryde, Isabel; Prior, Mary Ellen Murray; White, Isobel; Morris, Miranda; O'Gorman, Anne; Marcus, Julie and Cheater, Christine
    [1993]
    Published: Melbourne University Press
  4. John Oxley Library, Manuscripts and Business Records Collection, State Library of Queensland: Jane Ada Fletcher - Records (1870 - 1956)
    Original and unpublished manuscript of 'Squid' a tale of adventure of the wild days among the islands of Bass Strait in the early nineteenth century (69 pages); typescript of 'Memories of nature lover' by J.A. Fletcher, prepared by S.E. Fletcher (79 pages); 'The Rhyme Book' of J.A. Fletcher'; dates c1915-45 [1 envelope, OM67-2].
    OM67-2

Encyclopedia of Australian Science

  1. Fletcher, Jane Ada (1870-1956), Ornithologist and AuthorAustralian Dictionary of Biography John Ritchie 14 185-186 : Fletcher, Jane Ada (1870-1956), Ornithologist and Author
    Wall, Leonard
    [1996]
    Published: Melbourne University Press
  2. First in Their Field: Women and Australian Anthropology
    Marcus, Julie, Lepervanche, Marie de, McBryde, Isabel, Prior, Mary Ellen Murray, White, Isobel; Morris, Miranda; O'Gorman, Anne; Marcus, Julie and Cheater, Christine
    [1993]
    Published: Melbourne University Press
  3. Who's Who in Australia 1944
    Alexander, John A.
    [1944]
    Published: The Herald and Weekly Times Ltd
  4. The Flight of the Emu: a Hundred Years of Australian Ornithology 1901-2001
    Robin, Libby
    [2001]
    Published: Melbourne University Press
  5. John Oxley Library, Manuscripts and Business Records Collection, State Library of Queensland: Jane Ada Fletcher - Records (1900 - 1939)
    Original and unpublished manuscript of 'Squid' a tale of adventure of the wild days among the islands of Bass Strait in the early nineteenth century (69 pages); typescript of 'Memories of nature lover' by J.A. Fletcher, prepared by S.E. Fletcher (79 pages); 'The Rhyme Book' of J.A. Fletcher; dates c1915-45 [1 envelope, OM67-2].
    OM67-2

Resources about Jane Ada Fletcher (2)

  1. Portrait of Jane Ada Fletcher
    [ Photograph : 1920 ]
    View online
    At National Library
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 10.383)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 10.383)

  2. Portrait of Jane Ada Fletcher, 1918 / Largent
    Largent
    [ Photograph : 1918 ]
    View online
    At National Library
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 10.331)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 10.331)

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  1. Fletcher, J. A., (Jane Ada)
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  1. Website: Australian Women's Archives Project
    www.womenaustralia.info
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  2. Website: Australian Women in War
    www.womenaustralia.info
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  3. Website: Bright sparcs
    www.asap.unimelb.edu.au
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  1. Bill Fletcher, Jr. discusses settler states and the Palestinian Gandhi.(New York City and Tri-StateNews)
    Adas, Jane
    Washington Report on Middle East Affairs
    [ Article : 2010 ]
    View online (conditions apply)
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.052)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.052)

  2. How altruism evolves: assortment and synergy.(Author abstract)
    Fletcher, J.A; Doebeli, M
    Journal of Evolutionary Biology
    [ Article : 2006 ]
    View online (access conditions)
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.038)

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  3. KIT oncogenic signaling mechanisms in imatinib-resistant gastrointestinal stromal tumor: PI3-kinase/AKT is a crucial survival pathway.(ORIGINAL ARTICLE)
    Bauer, S; Duensing, A; Demetri, G.D; Fletcher, J.A
    Oncogene
    [ Article : 2007 ]
    View online (conditions apply)
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.031)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.031)

  4. KIT oncoprotein interactions in gastrointestinal stromal tumors: therapeutic relevance.(Original Article)
    Zhu, M-J; Ou, W-B; Fletcher, C D M; Cohen, P S; Demetri, G D; Fletcher, J A
    Oncogene
    [ Article : 2007 ]
    View online (access conditions)
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.027)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.027)

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  1. OM67-02 Jane Ada Fletcher Papers
    [ Unpublished : 1915-1939 ]
    Possibly online
    At State Library of QLD
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  2. McQuown, Madeline R. McQuown
    Madeline R. McQuown
    [ Unpublished : 1803 ]
    View online (access conditions)
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  3. Deved Photograph Collection
    Thorne Studio
    [ Unpublished ]
    View online (access conditions)
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  1. Nature & adventure for boys and girls / by Jane Ada Fletcher
    Fletcher, J. A. (Jane Ada), 1870-1956
    [ Book : 1916 ]
    At 12 libraries
    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.916)

    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.916)

  2. The stone age man of Tasmania : (a brief account of his life and conditions) / compiled by Jane Ada Fletcher
    Fletcher, J. A. (Jane Ada), 1870-1956
    [ Book : 1951-1956 ]
    At 8 libraries
    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.786)

    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.786)

  3. Eaglehawk Neck / compiled by J.A. Fletcher
    Fletcher, J. A. (Jane Ada), 1870-1956
    [ Book : 1946-1952 ]
    At 5 libraries
    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.692)

    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.692)

  4. Stories from nature / by J.A. Fletcher
    Fletcher, J. A. (Jane Ada), 1870-1956
    [ Book : 1915 ]
    At 6 libraries
    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.689)

    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.689)

  1. A brief history of Port Arthur 1804-1877 / compiled by J. A. Fletcher
    Fletcher, J. A. (Jane Ada)
    [ Audio book : 1989 ]
    At 3 libraries
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    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.118)

  2. The adventures of Tom Sawyer / Mark Twain
    Twain, Mark, 1835-1910
    [ Book, Audio book : 1876-2011 ]
    Languages: English, Chinese, Vietnamese, [20 others]
    read online at Open Library/Internet Archive
    View online
    At 155 libraries
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  3. La Divina commedia
    Dante Alighieri 1265-1321
    [ Book, Audio book, Article : 1472-2010 ]
    Languages: English, Italian, German, [27 others]
    read online at Open Library/Internet Archive
    View online
    At 161 libraries
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  4. Video histories of Australian scientists
    Australian Academy of Science
    [ Video : 1998 ]
    At 2 libraries
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  1. Matrimonial Market.
    Sunday Times (Perth, WA : 1902 - 1954) Sunday 13 March 1904 p 6 Article
    ... :- - George C. Greer and Jane Ross, Fremantle. mantle. Alexander W. M'Martin and A. A. B. Wyld, Fremantle. Frederick G. W. Bryant and Ada M. Spinks, Ireman tie. John Turnbull and Jean Wheatley, Fre- mantle. Oswell J. G. Fletcher and Millie L. Harris, Fremantle. G esta va A. Humbert and Gertrude M. Moremont, ... 69 words
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  2. IN DIVORCE. (Betore Mr. Justice Gordon.) DECREES ABSOLUTE.
    The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954) Wednesday 28 June 1916 p 8 Article
    ... Aimstroug i v t\ tillar- Alexander Armstrong (with cus I tody of child) \molla Jane Walker v Wil- liam James ttnlker, Ada Donsv v Michael Ed» ird Deasj Ruth MU lam Bourko v Joseph William Boutke, Fredeilck Jamos Fletcher v Mary rietchel, Arthur Wellesley Tuvlor v Ada Catherine Taylor, and Edith ... 149 words
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  3. Family Notices
    The South Australian Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1858 - 1889) Wednesday 13 June 1877 p 4 Family Notices
    ... BIRTHS. BAWDEN.-On tbe 11th June, at the farm, near Koolunga, the wife of Mr. Hugh Bawden, of a so ... tte 12th Jane, at Linden, the wife of Alexander Hay, of a daughter. SEARCY.-On tte 11th June, at ... at Adelaide, by tte Bev. W. Roby Fletcher, MLA- Charles Edward, eldest eon of Colonel Stokes, OJ_, ... 143 words
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