Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 250 (2000) 1–2
www.elsevier.nl / locate / jembe
Editorial
Margaret Barnes – An appreciation
This volume is a celebration volume of the Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology and it is published in honour of Margaret Barnes, DSc FRSE. Margaret was Managing Editor of JEMBE from 1978 till 1987, Consulting Editor from 1987 till 1999 and Book Reviews Editor from 1992 till 1999.
Like volume 200 this volume contains invited reviews on important issues in Marine Biology and Ecology which we hope will prove interesting and challenging to the JEMBE readership.
The 1960s saw the appearance of four major new outlets in which marine biologists could publish their work. The review series Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review and Advances in Marine Biology started in 1963 and were followed four years later by the journals Marine Biology and Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology. Two of these, Oceanography and Marine Biology and JEMBE, were the brainchildren of Harold Barnes who edited them until his untimely death in 1978. The first issue of JEMBE was published in September 1967 and it is significant that the first paper in that issue was co-authored by Harold and his wife Margaret. This husband and wife team was recognised as world experts in barnacle biology and they continued their teamwork in editing the two publications. Under Harold’s stimulation and guidance, JEMBE grew from one volume of three issues in 1968 to five volumes and 15 issues in 1978 and continues to grow. Oceanography and Marine Biology has been equally successful and is now in its 38th volume. Margaret was an integral and experienced part of the editorial team who shared Harold’s vision and enthusiasm so that on his death it was natural for her to assume the editorship of both publications and so ensure their smooth continuation. Shortly afterwards she was joined on JEMBE by F John Vernberg as co-editor and two Associate editors were also appointed to deal with the increasing number of submitted manuscripts. In 1987 Margaret was replaced as a Managing Editor by Brian L Bayne and she took up the post of Consulting Editor, subsequently also serving as editor of the Book Reviews section when this became a feature in 1992. She reluctantly retired from these posts in 1999 but continues to work as an editor of Oceanography and Marine Biology. In a wider field she, with Harold, was a founder member of the European Marine Biology Symposia and was intimately involved with the two that were held in her home territory in Oban. In latter years she served a term as president of that organisation.
Throughout her long association with JEMBE, Margaret has applied the same
2 Editorial
consistently high standards. Appreciating the fact the authors like to have their papers processed as quickly as possible she dealt with incoming manuscripts on the day of receipt if possible and if not, then very soon afterwards. She is a master of the diplomatic letter both to authors, referees and publishers to ensure that the progress of manuscripts is not impeded. She insisted on high standards of English and spent many hours improving the texts both of authors whose first language was not English and many of those whose it was.
Both she and Harold believed in encouraging young authors to revise their papers rather than rejecting them out of hand. Her wide knowledge built up over the years means that she can rapidly assess the general quality of a submitted paper even though she may not be familiar with the detail. Others could deal with that aspect and her network of referees was considerable. Through her research, her correspondence and her extensive travels she has made contact with many people the world over and many of these contacts have developed into lasting friendships. Her dinner parties for colleagues of all ages are legendary and she has entertained many visiting scientists at her home overlooking the sea.
She is a gentle and charming person who continues to give a great deal to her field. Many are grateful for her help and guidance and, as others have remarked before, she is truly the ‘Grand old lady’ of marine science.
