Ruth Dean

Ruth Dean, my grandmother (born 30 Nov 1889) was a successful landscape architect based in New York and Long Island, at a time when it was very difficult for women to work in the profession. She studied  at the University of Chicago  but could not afford to  complete the degree. She spent a year training with Jens Jensen, a Landscape Architect who pioneered natural swimming ponds and is still referred to today. Ruth moved to New York and stayed with a relative. She met my grandfather, who was an architect, and it appears that this connection gave her the opportunities taken for granted by men.  Eventually she was able to set up her own business and supported other people, including taking women on and given them  opportunities.

Ruth pioneered using native species with other plants in the garden.

The garden pictures are from the book she wrote 'The Liveable House, Its Garden' published in 1917 .