BETTS, Ursula Violet Graham (née U. V. G. Bower). Wiltshire 15.5.1914 — Fordingbridge, Hampshire 12.11.1988. British Anthropologist. Daughter of Commander John Graham Bower (1886–1940) of Royal Navy and Doris Violet Coghlan White (1893–1985). Educated at Roedean School, but family difficulties prevented planned studies of archaeology at Oxford. First visit to North-East India (Naga Hills and Manipur) in 1937, returned there in 1939 and began anthropological fieldwork. During war she mobilized the Nagas against the Japanese forces and herself led the venture. In 1945-47 her husband was administrator near Tibetan border, among Daflas and Apa Tanis. In 1948 they returned to the U.K., then coffee planters in Kenya and finally living in the Isle of Munn, Inner Hebrides. Married 1945 Lt.Col. Frederick Nicholson Betts (1906–1973), two daughters.
She had no formal training in anthropology, but her photos, films and writings secured her fame. PG diploma in anthropology 1950 London. In fieldwork she was also active photographer.
Publications: Naga Path. 10+260 p. 22 pl. L. 1950 (on Zemi Nagas); Drums Behind The Hill. 270 p. N.Y. 1950; The Hidden Land. 244 p. L. 1953.
Sources: Wikipedia with photo (as Bower).
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