Caroline Dormon was born on July 19, 1888 to James Alexander Dormon and Caroline Trotti Sweat Dormon at their summer home (named Briarwood) near Saline, Louisiana. She attended Judson College in Marion, Alabama, and was a public school teacher for a short time. In 1918, Dormon moved with her sister back to Briarwood where she became increasingly interested in forest conservation and native plant collecting. By 1920, her work was noticed by Mrs. A.F. Storm, president of the Louisiana Federation of Women's Clubs and Henry E. Hardtner, president of the Louisiana Forestry Association. Dormon quickly became Louisiana's conservation chairman and served on the legislative committee to study the state's forestry laws. One year later, she was hired by the forestry department in public relations and initiated a forestry education program in the public schools.
By 1923, tired of the bureaucratic atmosphere of her job, Dormon left her position. She continued her educational work, was instrumental in the establishment of Kisatchie National Forest, collected and studied wild irises and other native plants and was employed as a beautification and lanscape consultant for several state and private gardens. Throughout the years, she spoke at many garden club meetings acrossthe South, all the while publishing a total of six monographs and a multitude of nature articles. In 1965 she was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Science degree from Louisiana State University for her achievements in botany and horticulture. Dormon died in Shreveport in 1971, but not before making arrangments to set aside her beloved Briarwood as a nature preserve for all to enjoy.
From the description of Caroline Dormon Collection 1912-1977. (Northwestern State University of Louisiana). WorldCat record id: 54069603
