Eva Crane was a renowned beekeeper, author, and scholar who made significant contributions to the field of beekeeping and the study of bees. Born in London in 1912, Dr. Crane developed a fascination with bees when she and her husband, Jim Crane received a hive for a wedding present. She went on to dedicate her life to the study of bees and their role in agriculture and the environment.
Dr. Crane was one of only two women who graduated in 1933 with a math degree from King’s College London. She went on to earn a MSc in quantum mechanics in 1935 and a PhD in nuclear physics in 1937.
She worked as a physics professor, before devoting herself full-time to beekeeping and bee research in the 1940s. In 1949, she established the Bee Research Association (now the International Bee Research Association).
Dr. Crane spent more than five decades studying the behavior and biology of honey bees and other pollinators. She conducted extensive research in 60 countries on the impact of pesticides, climate change, and other factors on bee populations, and was a vocal advocate for sustainable agriculture and conservation.
One of Dr. Crane’s most significant contributions to the field of beekeeping was her research on lifecycle of honey bees. She was one of the first scientists to recognize that there are three different types of honey bee: the queen, workers, and drones.
Throughout her career, Dr. Crane published more than 300 scientific papers and a dozen books on bees and beekeeping, including “The World History of Beekeeping and Honey Hunting,” which remains a classic in the field. Her work has been translated into many languages and is still widely read and cited today.
Dr. Crane was committed to sharing her knowledge and experience with others. Her books and articles have inspired generations of beekeepers and helped to popularize beekeeping as a hobby and a profession.
Dr. Crane’s contributions to the field of beekeeping were recognized by many organizations and institutions during her lifetime. She was awarded the Order of the British Empire in 1986 for her services to apiculture, and in 1992 she became the first woman to be awarded the Gold Medal of the Apimondia, from the International Federation of Beekeepers’ Associations.
Despite her many accomplishments, Dr. Crane remained humble and dedicated to her work throughout her life. She continued to study bees and write about them until her death at the age of 95 in 2007.
Today, Crane’s legacy lives on through the many beekeepers, scientists, and conservationists who continue to be inspired by her work. Her contributions to the field of beekeeping and the study of bees have had a lasting impact, and her dedication and passion for these remarkable insects continue to inspire and inform us today.
