Eleanor Elizabeth Smith (30 September 1822 – 15 September 1896) was an Irish educational activist. She became one of three trustees running Bedford College. At the time Bedford College was one of the few places where women might receive something approaching university level education. Bedford College was said to be the first British institution run by women
Smith was born in Dublin, in Ireland, the daughter of John Smith (1792–1828) and his wife, Mary Murphy. Her father was a barrister, but he died in 1828, and Mary then moved the family to various locations in England before settling in Ryde on the Isle of Wight. Smith had thirteen siblings, with her younger brother Henry John Stephen Smith becoming a prominent mathematician.[1] Smith developed a strong interest in languages, teaching herself Hebrew when she was only seven years old. She later traveled widely around Europe, indulging her interest in European literature.[1]
Careeredit
In the 1860s, Smith moved to Oxford, where her brother was working, and organised a series of lectures for women by professors affiliated with the University of Oxford. Becoming known as an expert on women's education, she was called as a witness to the 1864 Royal Commission on Schools.[1] As a result of its recommendations, school boards were formed across England and Wales in 1870, and Smith was elected to the Oxford School Board - the only woman elected in Oxford, and one of only seven across England.[2]
Other members of the school board determined that education in the city should remain run by religious organisations, but Smith argued that they should instead set up a non-denominational board school. She was unsuccessful in this, and stood down from the board in 1873, when her brother died.[1]
In 1879, Smith was a founder of Somerville College, one of the first two Oxford colleges for women. She served on its council, and also became a trustee of Bedford College, London.[1] The founder of Bedford College, Elizabeth Reid died in 1866 and left the college in the hands of Eliza Bostock, Jane Martineau and Smith. The three of them were concerned that Bedford College School was to become Anglican under the head, Francis Martin.[3] They closed the school.
^ abcdef"Smith, Eleanor Elizabeth". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/48426. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
^Hollis, Patricia (1989). Ladies Elect: Women in English Local Government 1865-1914. Oxford University Press. p. 132. ISBN978-0198221579.
^"UCL Bloomsbury Project". www.ucl.ac.uk. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
January 01, 1970
eleanor, smith, activist, eleanor, elizabeth, smith, september, 1822, september, 1896, irish, educational, activist, became, three, trustees, running, bedford, college, time, bedford, college, places, where, women, might, receive, something, approaching, unive. Eleanor Elizabeth Smith 30 September 1822 15 September 1896 was an Irish educational activist She became one of three trustees running Bedford College At the time Bedford College was one of the few places where women might receive something approaching university level education Bedford College was said to be the first British institution run by womenEleanor SmithBornEleanor Elizabeth Smith30 September 1822Died15 September 1896NationalityIrishOccupationEducational activistNotable workfounder of Somerville College Member of the Oxford School BoardEarly years editSmith was born in Dublin in Ireland the daughter of John Smith 1792 1828 and his wife Mary Murphy Her father was a barrister but he died in 1828 and Mary then moved the family to various locations in England before settling in Ryde on the Isle of Wight Smith had thirteen siblings with her younger brother Henry John Stephen Smith becoming a prominent mathematician 1 Smith developed a strong interest in languages teaching herself Hebrew when she was only seven years old She later traveled widely around Europe indulging her interest in European literature 1 Career editIn the 1860s Smith moved to Oxford where her brother was working and organised a series of lectures for women by professors affiliated with the University of Oxford Becoming known as an expert on women s education she was called as a witness to the 1864 Royal Commission on Schools 1 As a result of its recommendations school boards were formed across England and Wales in 1870 and Smith was elected to the Oxford School Board the only woman elected in Oxford and one of only seven across England 2 Other members of the school board determined that education in the city should remain run by religious organisations but Smith argued that they should instead set up a non denominational board school She was unsuccessful in this and stood down from the board in 1873 when her brother died 1 In 1879 Smith was a founder of Somerville College one of the first two Oxford colleges for women She served on its council and also became a trustee of Bedford College London 1 The founder of Bedford College Elizabeth Reid died in 1866 and left the college in the hands of Eliza Bostock Jane Martineau and Smith The three of them were concerned that Bedford College School was to become Anglican under the head Francis Martin 3 They closed the school Smith developing an interest in health she served on the boards of the Radcliffe Infirmary and Sarah Acland Home and as a director of the city s Provident Dispensary 1 References edit a b c d e f Smith Eleanor Elizabeth Oxford Dictionary of National Biography online ed Oxford University Press doi 10 1093 ref odnb 48426 Subscription or UK public library membership required Hollis Patricia 1989 Ladies Elect Women in English Local Government 1865 1914 Oxford University Press p 132 ISBN 978 0198221579 UCL Bloomsbury Project www ucl ac uk Retrieved 8 April 2020 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Eleanor Smith activist amp oldid 1111893847, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
