Newton Turner, Helen (1908-1995), was an Australian geneticist and statistician . Genetics is the scientific study of heredity, the passing on of characteristics of living things from one generation to the next. Statisticians specialize in the gathering and analysis of data. Newton Turner’s research on and promotion of scientific methods of livestock breeding improved the sheep and wool industry in Australia .
Helen Alma Newton Turner was born on May 15, 1908, in Lindfield, a suburb of Sydney, Australia. She studied architecture at the University of Sydney , graduating in 1930. She took a position at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, now called the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) . An interest in mathematics led her to become one of the first agricultural statisticians at the council. Her work focused on using statistical methods to aid in the genetic improvement of sheep for wool production. From 1956 until her retirement in 1973, she directed the animal breeding section of CSIRO’s Division of Animal Genetics. As she worked, Newton Turner continued her studies, receiving a D.Sc. degree from the University of Sydney in 1970.
Newton Turner also spent much time introducing livestock improvement methods to farmers in developing countries . Following her retirement, she continued this work. In 1977, Newton Turner was made Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her contributions to the wool industry. In 1987, she was named Officer of the Order of Australia . She died on Nov. 26, 1995.
