Ada Sarah Ballin 1863 – 1906
Writer on childcare and health, journalist, lecturer in public health, editor.
4 May 1863 – 14 May 1906
Education
1878 Started attending University College London at the age of 16, the first year women were admitted.
Studied Hebrew, French, German, English composition, and public health during her four years, earning many prizes. She was awarded the Hollier scholarship in 1880 for Hebrew, the Fielden scholarship for French and German and the Heimann silver medal for German.
However, she did not complete an official degree (not unusual at that time).
Some Key Achievements and Interests
Offered practical advice to parents to support them in the upbringing of their children gaining a large readership.
Became an authority on baby and childcare, particularly re dress.
1880 – 1887 Lectured to the National Health Society.
1881 Published A Hebrew Grammar with Exercices Selected from the Bible co-written with her brother.
1885 Published The Science of Dress offering advice to women and children.
1887 Founded and edited the monthly journal Baby: The Mother’s Magazine, which gave key advice to mothers, including to dress children in wool and keep their arms free to stop babies overheating.
Edited the health and beauty departments of the Lady’s Pictorial.
1898 Founded and edited Womanhood targeted at young women and dispensing advice such as warning women about the harmful effects of corsets.
The expression ‘Ballin baby’ had become a household word by the end of the 20th century.
Issues
Met resistance from members of the general public as she appeared to medicalise motherhood.
Medical professionals challenged Ballin on giving women access to medical information deeming that inappropriate for female reader. Many attempted to block women taking over the practice of midwifery and becoming involved in nursing and public health.
Was criticised for endorsing commercial products alongside offering advice.
Connection to Bloomsbury
Born in Bloomsbury.
1878 – 1884 Studied at UCL.
Lived in Tavistock Square for a period with her father and brother from the age of 18.
Writing/Publications include
Ballin, Ada S; Ballin, F L; A Hebrew Grammar with Exercises Selected from the Bible. London: C. Kegan Paul & Co., 1881
Ballin, Ada; The Science of Dress in Theory and Practice . London: Sampson Low, Marston, Searle, & Rivington, 1885
Ballin, Ada S; Health and Beauty in Dress: From Infancy to Old Age. London: John Flack, 1892
Ballin, Ada S; Womanhood London 1899-1907
Further Reading