Mary Isolen (Molly) Fergusson

leading consulting engineer, first woman Fellow of Institution of Civil Engineers

Engineering Achievements

Mary (commonly known as Molly) Fergusson was the first woman to be a partner in a British civil engineering consultancy, the first woman member of the Association of Consulting Engineers and the first woman to be elected as a corporate member of the Insittution of Civil Engineers in 1939 and to its senior professional grade of MInstCE (now FICE) in 1957.

She was the first woman to graduate with honours in engineering from the University of Edinburgh when she obtained a second class honours in civil engineering in 1936.

Whilst employed by Blyth and Blyth, she first worked with the senior partner, Benjamin Hall Blyth III, on the design of bridges across the Highlands and Hebrides. On 1 January 1948 she became a partner in Blyth and Blyth and was in charge of all manner of civil engineering projects, bridge design, the River Leven water purification works, sewerage schemes, and industrial projects such as the Markinch paper mills of Tullis Russell.

From the 1960s Blyth and Blyth was associated with a succession of outstanding examples of Scottish modernist architecture, working with architects from local authorities, and private practices such as Robert Matthew, Johnson-Marshall and Partners and Reiach and Hall. Many were buildings for her alma mater, the University of Edinburgh.

Her Life

1. 1914 Born on 28 April in Beresford House, Peverell, Devonport, Plymouth, Devon to John Fergusson MB, scion of a Scottish medical family, and Mildred Mercer
2. c. 1925-31 Age: 11-17 Attended York College for Girls, becoming Head Girl
3. 1936 Age: 22 Graduated in Civil Engineering (2nd Class Honours) from the University of Edinburgh
4. 1939 Age: 25 Elected AMInstCE, the professional grade of the Institution of Civil Engineers
5. 1948 Age: 33 Became a partner in Blyth and Blyth on 1 January and first woman member of the Association of Consulting Engineers
6. 1952 Age: 38 Opening of River Leven Purification Scheme, Fife on 5th May
7. 1957 Age: 42 On 15 January, first woman to be elected to ICE’s senior professional grade as MInstCE (now FICE)
8. 1978 Age: 64 Retired as senior partner of Blyth and Blyth but remained as a consultant using her fees to fund a bursary.
9. 1979 Age: 65 Awarded OBE
10. 1985 Age: 71 Honorary DSc from Heriot- Watt University on 5 July
11. 1997 Age: 83 Died on 30 November at King Edward VII Hospital, Beaumont Street, Westminster, London

Her Legacy

Molly established a bursary for helping aspirant engineering students. She also encouraged young women into the profession, through work with the Women’s Engineering Society and elsewhere.

She was chair of the Edinburgh Soroptomists Group, an international women’s service organisation with consultative status at the United Nations.

She was a member of the General Council Business Committee of Edinburgh University.

Molly was awarded an OBE in 1979 for engineering achievements.

She received an Honorary DSc from Heriot-Watt University in 1985 for her work in encouraging women to take up engineering careers.

A Hall of Residence at Heriot-Watt University is named after her.

She is commemorated by a plaque at the University of Edinburgh's School of Engineering, Sanderson Building, one of four affixed during the 150th Anniversary celebrations of the Regius Chair of Engineering. 

The Molly Fergusson Initiative supports diversity and inclusion at the University of Edinburgh School of Engineering.

The tunnel boring machine for a gas pipeline tunnel beneath the Humber was named "Mary" in her honour. 

More Information

Chrimes, M. (2018, July 12). Fergusson, Mary Isolen [Molly] (1914–1997), civil engineer. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography.

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