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Maud Godward (1910-2002), remembered affectionately as Maudy, was born in Ilford. From 1931-1934, she studied Botany at East London College, just before it was renamed Queen Mary College.

She went on to win a fellowship and pursue research at Lake Windmere. After completing her MSc and PhD, she returned to Queen Mary College as a member of academic staff around 1940. She remained at Queen Mary College throughout her academic career.

During WWII, Queen Mary College evacuated to Cambridge from 1939-1945. During that time, Godward taught with The Botany School alongside staff from other evacuated institutions, including Bedford College, a women's College of the University of London.

Godward was known to be an avid motorcar driver, and her car was requisitioned for the war efforts during her time in Cambridge in 1939. She contributed further to the war efforts as an ambulance driver. In the 1970s, colleagues spotted her driving around the East End in an MGB sports car.

She was a founding member of the British Phycological Society and hosted its first Annual General Meeting in 1953. Her publications include The chromosomes of the algae, published in 1966. Godward also did some important work on radiobiology.

Godward was also a member of The Alpine Society, participating in women's climbs and climbing the Eiger. She died in 2002.

The College Archives hold items relating to Godward's time at Queen Mary College, including a recorded interview made around the time of the College centenary.