Rachel Scott (women's education reformer)

Rachel Cook (or Scott)
Born (1848-03-08)8 March 1848
St Andrews
Died 29 November 1905(1905-11-29) (aged 57)
Nationality Scottish
Known for women's education reformer
Spouse(s) C. P. Scott
Parents
  • John Cook (father)
  • Rachel Susan Farquhar (mother)

Rachel Scott or Cook (8 March 1848 – 29 November 1905) [1] (married name Mrs C.P. Scott), was a Scottish women's education reformer, based in Manchester, who organised and promoted equality for women.

Early life and personal education

Rachel Susan Cook came from an academic family in St Andrews, one of five sisters. Her paternal line included three generations of divinity professors, including a Moderator of the Church of Scotland .[1] Her education at St Andrew's senior school Madras College, by a private tutor and then as one of the first 6 female students enrolled at the College for Women at Hirton, which later became the University of Cambridge's Girton College,[2] with another Scottish woman, Louisa Innes Lumsden.[3] At this time, such women graduates were

"..rather special people..exceptionally able, determined, ambitious." [4]

In 1872, Cook graduated as one of the first women at the University of Cambridge with honours in the classic Tripos, at second class. This achievement was significant given the challenges women faced in higher education. Sarah Woodhead, Cook and Lumsden were considered 'the Girton pioneers' with Cook also described as:

"a tall, dark, willowy beauty with the melancholy air of one of Rossetti's nymphs, classical features and graceful movements."[5]

She was recognised by George Eliot saying that she was "sylphlike" and the most beautiful woman she had ever seen, and there still remains in the minds of those who knew her then a memorable picture of her uncommonness, her dramatic instinct and critical quickness, and her eagerness and radiance of mind.[1]

Campaign for women's education

In 1874 she married Charles Scott known as C. P. Scott, editor of the Manchester Guardian,[6] and moved to Manchester, where she soon joined the governing body of the city's Girls' High School. She continued to champion women's higher education by creating a home-based university level teaching facility, supported by sympathetic professors from Owens College. Through her unstinting efforts this became incorporated into Owens College in 1883.[1]

Scott also served on the Withington Girls School governing body and was interested in the co-educational school Ladybarn House School and took a lead role in education in the City; her eloquent elocution at public events to raise support for education for women and girls, was remarked upon on in her obituary.[1]

Her final speech in 1900 was in the Free Trade Hall to the assembled Manchester Girls' High School community.

Publishing anonymously, Scott translated classical Latin and French texts, as well as a guide to pictures in the Manchester Jubilee Exhibition of 1887. With her husband who was the editor, she contributed critical items to the Manchester Guardian [1] and her influence and contribution was also recognised in her husband's obituary.[7]

Now the university sector in the UK has more applicants from women than men and the Times Higher and Guardian are debating this.

An image of Rachel Cook, Mrs C.P. Scott can be found in her obituary [1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "The death of Mrs C.P. Scott – archive, 29 November 1905". the Guardian. 2016-11-29. Retrieved 2018-06-08.
  2. ↑ Stephen, Barbara. Girton College 1869 -1932. Cambridge University Press. p. 155.
  3. ↑ Elizabeth L. Ewan, Sue Innes, Sian Reynolds, Rose Pipes. Biographical Dictionary of Scottish Women. p. 212.
  4. ↑ Stott, Mary (June 2018). "sidelines: Graduated contributions". The Guardian. 30 June 1972: 11 – via ProQuest.
  5. ↑ Bradbrook, M.C. (1969). 'That Infidel Place': A Short History of Girton College 1869-1969. London: Chatto & Windus Ltd. p. 47.
  6. ↑ Crawford, Elizabeth. The Women's Suffrage Movement: A Reference Guide 1866-1928. p. 453.
  7. ↑ Ratcliffe, S.K. (June 2018). "C. P. Scott of the Manchester Guardian". The Contemporary Review. London Vol.146 (July 1, 1934): 144 – via ProQuest.
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