Susan Minns

Biography

Susan Minns, born 1839, was a passionate naturalist and philanthropist who supported scientific research, environmental education, and opportunities for women to pursue learning. She collected specimens, sponsored expeditions, and encouraged youth to marvel at the natural world.

Her generous gifts to institutions such as Harvard's Museum of Comparative Zoology and the Massachusetts Horticultural Society ensured that students and researchers could explore biology with proper resources, leaving a lasting record of her belief in the power of curiosity.