Yet another famous Fifer’s face could adorn a bank note after the Royal Bank of Scotland announced the shortlist of historical figures who could appear on a new £10 note.
Science writer, mathematician and astronomer Mary Somerville, who grew up in Burntisland, has joined physicist James Clerk Maxwell and engineer Thomas Telford as those nominated to be on polymer notes set to be issued in the second half of next year.
A final decision will be made following a public vote this week on the bank’s Facebook page and, if selected, Somerville will follow in the footsteps of Kirkcaldy economist Adam Smith whose image appeared on the Bank of England’s £20 note and some Scottish £50 notes.
The shortlist was drawn up after more than 400 people got in touch to nominate a Scottish figure who they felt had made a significant contribution in the field of science and innovation.Somerville lived from 1780 until 1872 at a time when women’s participation in science was strongly discouraged.
A student of algebra, she published a series of books, including one on physical geography which became a standard text for more than 50 years.
She was jointly nominated to be the first female member of the Royal Astronomical Society in 1835.
She also translated the works of Laplace and predicted the existence of the planet Neptune.
And although she was known as the “Rose of Jedburgh” as she was born there, Somerville lived as a child and a young woman in Burntisland and a plaque now stands in the town’s Somerville Square to commemorate her link to the area.
Voting on the RBS Facebook page closes next Sunday.