Girton College, Cambridge

Girton College was established on October 16, 1869 by Emily Davies and Barbara Bodichon, as the first residential College for women in England. It was called the College for Women, and was located at Benslow House, Hitchin, a town in Hertfordshire, England. In 1872 the present site, located about two and a half miles northwest of the centre of Cambridge, next to the village of Girton was purchased; the College was then renamed Girton College, and opened at the new location in October of 1873. Over the years, many additions have considerably expanded the size of the college, most currently the hotly debated library extension. Girton also proudly houses an Egyptian mummy named "Hermione".

Related Topics:
October 16 - 1869 - Emily Davies - Barbara Bodichon - Hitchin - Hertfordshire - 1872 - Cambridge - Girton - 1873

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On April 27, 1948, women were admitted to full membership of the University of Cambridge, and Girton College received the status of a College of the University. However, to remember the time when women were not allowed to obtain degrees of the University of Cambridge, no gowns are worn during the college feast, when students in their final year are celebrated.

Related Topics:
April 27 - 1948 - University of Cambridge

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The college became mixed in 1977 with the arrival of the first male Fellows; male undergraduates have been admitted since 1979. Nevertheless, the vice-mistress still keeps that denomination although "she" is a man nowadays.

Related Topics:
1977 - 1979

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In 2004, The Sun newspaper suggested that Girton College was 'now trendy'.

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