Marie Charlotte Carmichael Jones was a truly remarkable woman. In the face of enormous opposition and difficulties, she pioneered safe and effective birth control for women. She wrote the first popular book on this subject, which first appeared 90 years ago and which became an instant best seller. Marie was born in Edinburgh in 1880. Her father was a wealthy architect who also had a deep knowledge of palaeobotany--the study of fossilised plants. Her mother, Charlotte Carmichael, was a fervent feminist; a keen promoter of education for women, when this subject was held in scorn by most of the (male!) population. Marie inherited the interests and support of both her parents.