Lectures for Ladies
In 1869, Cambridge philosopher Henry Sidgwick set out to disprove the Victorian theory that educated women made unfit wives and mothers. His experiment: a few talks boldly titled "Lectures for Ladies". They proved ridiculously popular. By 1871 it was clear that a residence was needed for the women who travelled from afar to attend. Egged on by others including Millicent Fawcett, wife of another Cambridge academic, Henry Fawcett, by 1880 the whole enterprise had become Newnham College. Its students sat University exams from 1881 but their results were published on a separate list.
Millicent's daughter Philippa played her own part in demolishing this nonsense. In 1890 she topped Mathematics finals so decisively she was ranked "above the Senior Wrangler" — better than every man in her year. Cambridge rewarded her with a raised eyebrow but no degree.
And still the University stalled. At times opposition from the male students took a violent turn and in 1921, a mob of undergraduates smashing Newnham's gates in protest at the mere idea of women graduating.
Philippa died on 10th June 1948, a month after Cambridge finally caved and awarded women real degrees. Newnham's Fawcett Building honours the name of mother and daughter for finishing what began with one lecture series.