Florence Davy Thompson

Florence Davy Thompson (née Lucas; 1865–1915) was an English-born Canadian biologist and artist who became the founding librarian at the University of Manitoba. Born in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, to Samuel Lucas, a brewery owner, and Florence Davy, whose family had connections to diplomacy, she received a superior education under private tutor William Dawson. In 1892, she married customs clerk William Henry Thompson and moved to Winnipeg.

Upon arriving in Canada, Thompson showcased her artistic talent by winning prizes for watercolour paintings at the 1892 Winnipeg Industrial Exhibition. She collaborated with University of Manitoba professors on scientific research, co-publishing papers on pancreatic islets and thyroid glands and authoring two physiology papers alone. Recognized for her work, she was tasked with establishing the university's library in 1905, a role that began with a modest honorarium but saw her salary increase over time.

Beyond academia, Thompson contributed to women's clubs by presenting lectures on diverse topics and actively participated in organizations like the Local Council of Women. She traveled to McGill University for further training in 1910. Thompson passed away suddenly from appendicitis in 1915, leaving a library collection of over 7,500 works. Her replacement as librarian was paid $2,000, reflecting the growing importance of the role she had helped establish.