[3] She was educated at the Gymnasium school[3] and obtained employment as a clerk at the Division of Botany and Plant Pathology in Pretoria in September, 1916.

She was very persuasive in getting rare and expensive books donated or sponsored to the library during her time as librarian.

Ms Gunn's library was populated by her acquiring gifts, as well as purchasing and exchanging books and journals until she had enough of a variety for the public.

To this day, the global exchange program remains one of the chief ways in which Mary Gunn Library gets new journals.

[5] In 1976 the Botanical Society of South Africa awarded Gunn the Harry Bolus Medal.