Eugénie Sellers Strong 1860 – 1943
(née Sellers)
Archaeologist, art historian.
25 March 1860 – 16 September 1943
Education
Educated in Spain and France.
Higher Education
1878-79 University College London UCL) studying English.
1882 Took the Classical Tripos at Girton College (although Girton took women from 1869 it was only in 1882 that women were examined. Women were only made full members and so allowed to graduate in 1947. This restricted their access to academic positions within universities.
1887-88 UCL studying archaeology.
1889-1890 UCL studying architecture and archaeology.
1890 Studied at the British School in Athens.
Some Key Achievements and Interests
1891 Appointed to the London Society for the Extension of University Teaching.
As a freelance lecturer:
Between 1890 and 1901 1901 lectured in Greek Art & Mythology, Greek Art & Life, Greek Sculpture and Sculptors, Greek Painting and Vases, Greek Legends etc. for different extension colleges and women’s departments* both on their premises, at the British Museum or Victoria and Albert Museum. Extension colleges gave women more access to education and Strong addressed audiences of girls, younger and older women.
(*Bedford College, North Hackney Centre for University Extension, Harrow Centre for University Extension, King’s College Ladies Dept, Chelsea Centre for University Extension and Whitechapel Centre for University Extension, Croydon Centre for University Extension.)
From 1891 Was a member of the Society for the Promotion of Hellenic Studies. From 1893 sat on its Council.
1883 Advertised personal tuition for women in Latin, Greek, English and French at her home.
1892 Offered a course in Pliny and Pausanias at her home.
1900 Committee member of the Women’s International Exhibition.
1903 Organised the Loan Exhibition of ancient Greek Art at the Burlington Fine Arts Club.
1904-1909 Appointed Librarian to the Duke of Devonshire at Chatsworth House. This was a remarkable appointment for a woman at this time. Here she was responsible for cataloguing collections and making them accessible to researchers.
1905 Member of the International Archaeological Congress.
1908 Member of the International Congress for the History of Religions
1909-1925 Librarian, then Assistant Director, of the British School at Rome.
1910 Elected first Research Fellow of Girton College and a Life Fellow of the College.
1911 Member of the Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies.
1919 Member of the British Federation of University Women and elected Vice President.
1920 Elected Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London Council.
1921 Committee member of the Vasari Society.
1927 Awarded CBE.
1937 Committee member of the British School of Archaeology in Egypt.
1938 Received the gold medal of the city of Rome.
Issues
She married but on the understanding she could continue her academic career.
Was greatly affected by the death of her husband in 1904. His death also necessitated her earning a living. Her appointment as Librarian at Chatsworth taking over her husband’s post eased her financial situation.
Was known to have a ‘strong’ personality but had many strong friendships.
She came into conflict with Evie (Evelyn) Cavendish who became Duchess of Devonshire in 1908. However, she continued to have contact with Cavendish after leaving her role of Librarian at Chatsworth.
Her reputation was tainted when she was known to support fascism and Mussolini.
Connection to Bloomsbury
University College London.
The British Museum.
Female networks
These were extensive – she held salons bringing together scholars, students, artists etc – including Alice Kemp Welch, Caroline Amy Hutton, Gertrude Bell, Jane Harrison, Maria Millington Lathbury, Norah Jolliffe, Sarah Marks, Vernon Lee.
Writing/Publications include:
1895 Edited and translated Masterpieces of Greek Sculpture: A Series of Essays on the History of Art by Adolf Furtwängler.
1896 Provided a historical introduction and commentary to The Elder Pliny’s Chapters on the History of Art (1896) with a translation of the Latin text by Katharine Jex-Blake.
1907 Roman Sculpture from Augustus to Constantine.
1929 Art in Ancient Rome.
Further reading:
For more detail of her life and work in 19th century and 20th century see: Beyond Notability Database: Eugénie Sellers Strong – Beyond Notability (wikibase.cloud) Accessed 23/11/2023
Eugénie Sellers Strong – Wikipedia
Eugénie Sellers Strong (1860–1943) – The British School at Rome Fine Arts Archive (bsr.ac.uk)
‘A Lady Librarian’: Introducing Eugénie Sellers Strong (chatsworth.org)