 Pickford was born in Jubbulpore, India on 14 August 1902 the daughter of Herbert Arthur Pickford, a tea and indigo planter, and his wife, Lillian Alice Minnie Wintle.She was sent to live with her aunt and uncle in Surrey, England at the age of five.A family friend, Sir Cooper Perry encouraged her to become a doctor but discouraged her from becoming a researcher, saying, 'Don't think of it.