A miserable day for photos here so I headed to the Ascension Burial Ground ('Britain's Brainiest Graveyard' according to The Mirror) with a view to finding this particular grave. When I took some pictures here in April and read up on the graves one name that impressed me was Charlotte Scott. In 1880 she was given special permission to take the Mathematical Tripos exam at the University and placed eighth but the title of 'eighth wrangler', a high honour, was given to a male student. At the Degree ceremony (which only included men), after the seventh wrangler was announced all of the students shouted Charlotte's name (jolly good show boys!) After this event women were formally allowed to take the exams, their scores were listed (but not ranked with the men) and they were given a special certificate. Women were not permitted to receive a Degree until 1947 (!!!!) Charlotte went on to become the first British woman to receive a doctoral degree, moved to America and directed the PhD theses of many pioneering women mathematicians. So I was disappointed to find her grave in this state but couldn't have a go at tidying it with the dog trying to catch squirrels. Maybe I'll alert Girton College to its fate - she really should be afforded a bit more glory in my opinion!!
Oh very interesting story. Not even sure I knew it. As a joint maths/history of science graduate you would think I would know more about female mathematicians in history but I suppose i don't. Funny how this project leads to learning things. I wasn't aware of the preston suffragette story either ( one of my dec pics). Great find anyway even if she was a Cambridge and not a Leeds graduate. Will have to look up when we let women in. Fairly suprisingly I was the first woman lecturer in the our Engineering faculty (in 1994). Scary.
What an interesting story here Judith & 'didn't she do well '' a great pioneer for future women students. This grave is rather beautiful with all that moss & little ivy leaves rambling around it , very simple & a pretty shade of blue...I would be quite happy with that !!
Fantastic story Judith. Its always sad to see some graves get neglected. Good idea to go and see someone in the know....or take your secateurs next time!!
Pity she doesn't get more recognition. And talking about science, I am reading "Radioactive: Pierre and Marie Curie - A Tale of Love and Fallout". Lots I didn't know about them.
Wow, what amazing history; and to think that women weren't allowed to gain degrees until 1947 is crazy. We sure have come a long way since then. Lovely shot too; I like the feel of this one. Hopefully it gets tidied up soon.
Thanks for that story! That is pretty shocking and unbelievable. Go Charlotte! Like how you've captured the neglected grave. It really deserves some more attention and love!
@fueast Bit of a pioneer yourself then! Changing Cambridge was a great, but local, achievement but getting the first PhD was a national one - you'd think she'd be a bit better known. At least she does get a mention on the map of the graves!
@happypat I was pondering on when gentle decay becomes all out neglect!! The stone is lying down but is sticking up in one corner and buried in the other - it's in danger of disappearing and needs a bit of structural attention I suspect but it also seems a shame to tidy it up too much - a little bit of being at one with nature is good!
@judithg Well she might be happy knowing she changed things for those to follow. Things are still far from perfect though. Chemistry at Leeds still has had only 1 female chair as far as I know. 6 in engineering is better.
@fueast Oh girls can't be doing smelly chemistry. Of course one of our older women chemists is Mary Archer. Odd woman really and an arse for a son as well as a husband....
I commented on this earlier but the internet in my room was playing up so came into the lobby to try and get a more stable connection! Really nice find this, and great history too! Ref my "mash" shot - no special lens, just my P&S...this hotel is so quirky there's loads of really interesting nooks and crannies to take shots from weird perspectives. Found a great potential for next time i'm here of the bar....!
Thank you for that inspiring story! It's a really neat photo, too, but I agree that the grave should be honoured with more tidiness. On the other hand, it kind of conveys a rebel feeling fitting with her role in getting women the right to take exams...
