She became the pioneer woman to obtain a first class in the honour school of Natural Science and later received an MBE for her work on nutrition during World War I. Margaret Seward, daughter of James Seward, Master at the Liverpool Institute, was born on 22 January 1864 and educated at Blackburne House, Liverpool.

Seward then changed her focus to Chemistry, and in 1885 became the pioneer woman to obtain the first class honour school of Natural Science.

[1] Upon graduation, Seward was immediately appointed Natural Science tutor at Somerville, in addition to undertaking research with the Oxford chemist, W.H.

She was described there as "one of the foremost women science-lecturers", but in 1912, King's College decided to appoint a male lecturer, and McKillop was reassigned to library work.

[1] Margaret Seward McKillop joined the Fabian Society in 1894 and was a leading figure in its Women's Group, serving as chair for several years.