Working Women’s College

1864 Founded by Elizabeth Malleson with the help of her husband to offer adult education to working women. Located at 29 Queen Square, Bloomsbury.

College supporters included: Anna Swanwick, Barbara Bodichon, Elizabeth Jesser Reid, George Eliot, Harriet Martineau, Octavia Hill.

The College, which was non-sectarian, drew women over the age of 15 from all over London, both married and unmarried and from many different occupations (eg* dressmakers, shop assistants, domestic servants, teachers). Classes at different levels were held in the evenings and designed to meet the needs of working women. Free Saturday lectures were also offered. A wide range of subjects was offered but scientific subjects did not initially prove popular.

Fees were low so as not to exclude low paid workers and costs covered by the renting of apartments at 29 Queen Square, subscriptions and donations mostly from the Malleson’s circle.

Women teachers at the College included: Augustine Blancard, Miss Croydon, Elizabeth Garrett Andreson (who taught Physiology), Lucy Harrison, Octavia Hill. Most teachers were volunteers.

Lady Superintendents were responsible for the day to day running of the College. They received no wage but their accommodation and expenses were covered. Sarah Maclardie Amos (nee Bunting)is recorded as being a Lady Superintendent in 1865 and Madeleine Whitehead (Elizabeth’s sister) who joined the Council after her time as Lady Superintendent.

A Council of Teachers comprising 15-18 teachers, helpers and Council Officers decided policy. Elizabeth acted as Honorary Secretary, her husband Honorary Treasurer.

October 1874 the College turned co-educational having failed in the attempt to merge with the Working Men’s College. Malleson believed that co-education could promote mutual understanding between men women of their abilities and differences and she researched examples of mixed education establishments. The co-educational College was renamed the College for Men and Women. Many on the College Council, however, disagreed with this change of policy and a group led by Frances Martin broke away and set up the College for Working Women in Fitzroy Street.

Superintendent of the College for Men and Women was Mrs Sitwell (later Lady Colvin).

1877 Elizabeth Malleson suffered a nervous breakdown bringing about her resignation as Secretary of the College. By 1882 she was no longer involved in its operation.

1901 the College closed.

*example occupatons noted in reports include: bandage maker,feather maker, furmaker, jewelpolisher, midwife, patent turner, tiemaker and umbrella maker.

Further reading:

Stinchcombe, Owen; Elizabeth Malleson and the Working Women’s College in Camden History Review 16 pp29-33.