Marjorie Ritchie (29 March 1948 – 25 March 2015)[1] was a Scottish animal researcher and animal surgeon known for her contribution as part of the pioneering team who cloned Dolly The Sheep.

Marjorie Ritchie
Born
Marjorie Fordyce

(1948-03-29)29 March 1948
Edinburgh, Scotland
Died25 March 2015(2015-03-25) (aged 66)
NationalityScottish
OccupationAnimal scientist
Years active1966-2014
Employer(s)Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh
Known forwork on Dolly The Sheep
SpouseBill Ritchie
Parents
  • James Fordyce (father)
  • Helen Fordyce (mother)

Early life and education

edit

Ritchie was born in Edinburgh, Scotland on 29 March 1948 to Helen and James Fordyce. She had two brothers, Ronald and Forbes.[2] She attended Corstorphine Primary, Granville School for Girls and Forrester High School.[1]

She became interested in animals through visiting a relative who worked in animal breeding research at the Roslin Institute.[1]

Career

edit

In 1966, at the age of 18, Ritchie joined the Animal Breed Research Organisation, the predecessor of the Roslin Institute. She worked initially undertaking research into fibre types in the organisation's wool laboratory. [2][3]

She later joined the Farm Animal Department, becoming the senior scientific officer in charge of the Large Animal Unit.[2]

Ritchie is recognised as being an important influence on young scientists and technicians working in or studying animal science.[2]

She retired in 2014 after 48 years of service.[3]

 
Dolly the Sheep

Ritchie appeared on the BBC Sounds The Reunion radio programme in 2012 along with colleagues talking about the impact of Dolly the Sheep 15 years later.[4]

Personal life

edit

In 1988, she married Bill Ritchie who also worked as part of the 'Dolly Team', as an anaesthetist and embryologist.

Ritchie has been commemorated in a photograph by Scottish artist Wendy McMurdo alongside anaesthetist John Bracken at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery.[5]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c "Obituary: Marjorie Ritchie, animal scientist". www.scotsman.com. 11 April 2015. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d "Marjorie Ritchie (1948–2015)". The University of Edinburgh. 9 October 2015. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Marjorie Ritchie | Dolly the Sheep". Retrieved 5 February 2020.
  4. ^ "The Reunion - Dolly the Sheep - BBC Sounds". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
  5. ^ "Anaesthetist, John Bracken, and Surgeon, Marjorie Ritchie at The Roslin Institute". National Galleries of Scotland. Retrieved 5 February 2020.