Girton turns 150

Today marks the 150th anniversary of the foundation of Girton, the first institution in the United Kingdom to offer university-level education for women. 

 

The Old Wing was commenced in 1873. Three generations of the Waterhouse family, starting with Alfred, would complete the principal buildings on the site.

I am not sure how completely true it could be, but during my undergrad years at the college there was an 'urban myth' circulating those seemingly endless corridors that the Neo-Gothic/Tudor structure in red brick and terracotta was deliberately laid down so that it might be repurposed as a lunatic asylum in case the new-fangled idea of female higher education didn't take off. One section of the college has rather tellingly retained the name 'Hospital Wing'.

A more detailed narrative of the foundation can be found here.

Our eminent founder, Emily Llewelyn Davies raised £2,000, including £50 from George Eliot, for her 'college for women'.

The first five students arrived at Benslow House in Hitchin for the Michaelmas Term of 1869, but in 1872 a new permanent site for up to 50 was acquired. "That infidel place" was soon being lampooned by Punch magazine and sent up in music hall ditties.

In 1998 V and I attended a special March Ball at Girton dubbed Semicentium which marked 50 years since the first proper degrees were issued to members, a slightly bittersweet anniversary as this was also a recognition that by 1948 Cambridge had fallen behind Oxford in respect of gender equality. (My Aunt had been an undergraduate at Girton just before this milestone date and so left without her BA and its free upgrade.)

Men were first admitted in 1976.

All the toilets, baths and showers are gender-neutral, at least they were in my day.