Olga Uvarov
Encyclopedia
Dame Olga Nikolaevna Uvarov, DBE
, FRCVS
(9 July 1910 – 29 August 2001) was a veterinary surgeon and clinical researcher. She was the first woman president of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
. She was a distinguished member of the veterinary profession in every sense, spanning general practice and animal health research as well as veterinary politics and high-level contributions to enlightened legislation affecting animal welfare.
on 9 July 1910, the daughter of a prosperous lawyer. Their mother died and their father was executed by a revolutionary tribunal. Orphaned, she and her brothers lived together in one room, foraging for food and witnessing horrors they would never forget. But they had an uncle in London, the entomologist Boris Uvarov
(later Sir Boris Uvarov, KCMG), who had heard the children were still alive.
The American Red Cross
located the children for him, but such was the cost of getting people out of Russia at that time that he could afford only to pay the costs for one child. After much heart-searching, he selected Olga; she was escorted to Estonia
and put on a ship for England. Boris Uvarov was horrified by the state of his waif-like niece when she arrived in England; she was without hair or fingernails, and suffering from malaria
.
Royal Veterinary College
, where she won the college's Bronze Medals for Physiology
and Histology
and qualified in 1934. She began her small practice after graduating.
Uvarov was named as President of the Society of Women Veterinary Surgeons from 1947 to 1949, and of the Central Veterinary Society from 1951-52. She was awarded the Victory Gold Medal of the Central Veterinary Society in 1965. She was elected to the council of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
in 1968, and became a fellow in 1973. She took over as the first woman president of the RCVS in 1976. She was also Vice-President of the Institute of Animal Technicians.
In 2000 the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Trust
launched an appeal for funds to commemorate Uvarov's life of leadership in veterinary science. The Trust's Dame Olga Uvarov Travel Scholarship was established to provide grants (presumably for potential veterinary students) until the trust is depleted.
until her death at age 91 on 29 August 2001.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
, FRCVS
Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons is the regulatory body for veterinary surgeons in the United Kingdom. Established in 1844 by Royal Charter, its statutory duties are laid out in the 1966 Veterinary Surgeons Act.-Role:...
(9 July 1910 – 29 August 2001) was a veterinary surgeon and clinical researcher. She was the first woman president of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons is the regulatory body for veterinary surgeons in the United Kingdom. Established in 1844 by Royal Charter, its statutory duties are laid out in the 1966 Veterinary Surgeons Act.-Role:...
. She was a distinguished member of the veterinary profession in every sense, spanning general practice and animal health research as well as veterinary politics and high-level contributions to enlightened legislation affecting animal welfare.
Biography before emigrating to the UK
Olga Nikolaevna Uvarov was born in MoscowMoscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
on 9 July 1910, the daughter of a prosperous lawyer. Their mother died and their father was executed by a revolutionary tribunal. Orphaned, she and her brothers lived together in one room, foraging for food and witnessing horrors they would never forget. But they had an uncle in London, the entomologist Boris Uvarov
Boris Uvarov
Sir Boris Petrovitch Uvarov, KCMG was a Russian-British entomologist.-Biography:Boris Petrovitch Uvarov was son of Pyotr P. Uvarov, a state bank employee, and his wife, Aleksandra. He studied biology in the University of St. Petersburg, graduating in 1910. He worked as entomologist in Stavropol...
(later Sir Boris Uvarov, KCMG), who had heard the children were still alive.
The American Red Cross
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross , also known as the American National Red Cross, is a volunteer-led, humanitarian organization that provides emergency assistance, disaster relief and education inside the United States. It is the designated U.S...
located the children for him, but such was the cost of getting people out of Russia at that time that he could afford only to pay the costs for one child. After much heart-searching, he selected Olga; she was escorted to Estonia
Estonia
Estonia , officially the Republic of Estonia , is a state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia , and to the east by Lake Peipsi and the Russian Federation . Across the Baltic Sea lies...
and put on a ship for England. Boris Uvarov was horrified by the state of his waif-like niece when she arrived in England; she was without hair or fingernails, and suffering from malaria
Malaria
Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease of humans and other animals caused by eukaryotic protists of the genus Plasmodium. The disease results from the multiplication of Plasmodium parasites within red blood cells, causing symptoms that typically include fever and headache, in severe cases...
.
Studies/appointments
She studied at the University of LondonUniversity of London
-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
Royal Veterinary College
Royal Veterinary College
The Royal Veterinary College is a veterinary school located in London, United Kingdom and a constituent college of the federal University of London. The RVC was founded in 1791 and joined the University of London in 1949...
, where she won the college's Bronze Medals for Physiology
Physiology
Physiology is the science of the function of living systems. This includes how organisms, organ systems, organs, cells, and bio-molecules carry out the chemical or physical functions that exist in a living system. The highest honor awarded in physiology is the Nobel Prize in Physiology or...
and Histology
Histology
Histology is the study of the microscopic anatomy of cells and tissues of plants and animals. It is performed by examining cells and tissues commonly by sectioning and staining; followed by examination under a light microscope or electron microscope...
and qualified in 1934. She began her small practice after graduating.
Uvarov was named as President of the Society of Women Veterinary Surgeons from 1947 to 1949, and of the Central Veterinary Society from 1951-52. She was awarded the Victory Gold Medal of the Central Veterinary Society in 1965. She was elected to the council of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons is the regulatory body for veterinary surgeons in the United Kingdom. Established in 1844 by Royal Charter, its statutory duties are laid out in the 1966 Veterinary Surgeons Act.-Role:...
in 1968, and became a fellow in 1973. She took over as the first woman president of the RCVS in 1976. She was also Vice-President of the Institute of Animal Technicians.
Scholarships and philanthropy in her name
The Dame Olga Uvarov Research Medal, worth £1000, is a philanthropy named in her honour.In 2000 the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Trust
Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Charitable Trust
The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Charitable Trust is the charity partner of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. It was established in 1958 and is registered with the Charity Commission of England and Wales .-Role:...
launched an appeal for funds to commemorate Uvarov's life of leadership in veterinary science. The Trust's Dame Olga Uvarov Travel Scholarship was established to provide grants (presumably for potential veterinary students) until the trust is depleted.
Death
Never married, her last years were spent in a nursing home at Hatch EndHatch End
Hatch End is a place in the London Borough of Harrow, located north west of Charing Cross in Central London. The suburb is part of the Pinner post town.-Attractions:...
until her death at age 91 on 29 August 2001.