College for Women founded at Hitchin (1869)

In October 1869, Emily Davies and Barbara Bodichon established the College for Women at Benslow House in Hitchin, Hertfordshire. This institution served as the predecessor to Girton College, Cambridge. The founders, active in the early feminist movement, aimed to provide higher education for women, marking a significant step in the history of women's access to university-level study in England.

Episodes

Background and detail

Background. Emily Davies and Barbara Bodichon met through their activism in the early feminist movement, specifically via the Society for the Employment of Women and The Englishwoman's Review. In 1866, they collaborated on a scheme to extend university education to women. This initiative led to the establishment of a small experimental college at Hitchin, which later developed into Girton College, Cambridge.

Establishment at Hitchin. The College for Women was established on 16 October 1869 at Benslow House, a rented villa in Hitchin, Hertfordshire. Hitchin was chosen for its convenient distance between Cambridge and London. The first term began with five students, marking the start of this pioneering institution for women's higher education.

Legacy and Commemoration. The College for Women at Hitchin is recognized as the predecessor of Girton College, Cambridge. In 2019, a blue plaque was unveiled to commemorate the founders Emily Davies and Barbara Bodichon, marking the 150th anniversary of Girton College. Bodichon remained a dedicated patron, contributing time and money to the institution's development.

People involved

Sources

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