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Thora Margraff Plitt Hardy (31st July 1902-1st January 1993) was a US botanist born in Switzerland. She was educated at Barnard College, Colombia University from where she graduated in 1925 after which she spent a short time as a New York City High School Teacher (1925-29). She returned to academia at The University of Chicago to start her PhD studies in 1932. Following completion of her PhD in 1935 she set out in academia as a botany instructor but saw little opportunity to progress. At this point she began a period of employment with The US Government, first with The Bureau of Standards and subsequently at USDA until she left their employment in 1951. Her work focussed on plant microchemistry and physiology and microscopic analysis of commercial furs. She assisted with Second World War efforts when she was requested to apply her studies of fur fibres for the armed forces. She wrote several books including 'Microscopic methods used in identifying commercial fibres' Published in 1939. A cash award is made available at The University of Missouri by an endowment established by Thora Hardy in memory of her husband, John I. Hardy. The award is bestowed on an undergraduate to recognize their academic achievements, the quality of their independent research projects, and their extracurricular contributions.