by Women's Education, Law
[Feminism and Women's Rights]Early [Women's Education] Three House Commons bills on women's education, 1875-1911. London: House of Commons Printing Office, 1875, 1910, 1911. First printings. This archive charts incremental but foundational legal reforms to ensure British women’s access to university education, teaching professions, and public educational funding across the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Each bill represents a distinct moment in the evolving struggle for gender parity in education, from admission to universities to protection against workplace discrimination for married women.
[1] Universities (Scotland) (Degrees to Women) Bill [No. 6]. A Bill to Remove Doubts as to the Powers of the Universities of Scotland to Admit Women as Students and to Grant Degrees to Women. Ordered to be printed 8 February 1875. Prepared and brought in by Mr. Cowper-Temple, Mr. Russell Gurney, Mr. Orr Ewing, and Dr. Cameron. This early bill was designed to eliminate ambiguities in existing law that obstructed women’s access to higher education in Scotland. It explicitly authorized the admission of women to universities and the awarding of degrees, citing the earlier 1858 Act that governed Scottish university operations. The bill’s clarity and precision reflect Parliament’s growing engagement with women’s academic rights. Four pages. Toning and faint pencil note to upper corner. Very good.
[2] Education (Girls) Bill [No. 70]. A Bill to Extend the Duties and Powers of Educational Authorities with Regard to the Training of Girls. Ordered to be printed 14 March 1910. Presented by Sir Charles McLaren, supported by Mr. Atherley-Jones, Mr. J.M. Robertson, Mr. Snowden, and Mr. Theodore Taylor. This substantive legislative effort addressed gender inequality in employment and access to education. It proposed barring dismissal of female teachers upon marriage, mandating that publicly funded institutions provide equal access to women, and reallocating endowments for equitable gender distribution. Sections also provided for training in domestic arts and midwifery. Eight pages total, including title and memorandum. Light crease to margin; near fine.
[3] Education (Girls) Bill [No. 153]. A Bill to Give Better Educational Facilities to Women. Ordered to be printed 3 April 1911. Presented by Mr. Snowden, supported by Mr. Atherley-Jones, Mr. J.M. Robertson, and Mr. Theodore Taylor. This later iteration reaffirms and slightly refines the provisions of the 1910 bill. It reiterates non-discrimination against married women teachers, reasserts the equal access requirement for institutions and funding, and continues the support for domestic arts and midwifery education under the 1902 Act. The bill’s expanded language reflects the increasing integration of feminist principles into public educational policy. Eight pages total. Crisp and clean with only minor toning; near fine.
Paper lightly toned with light edge wear as expected. Overall very good to near fine condition. A critical collection of original legislative printings representing England and Scotland's shifting stances on gender equality in education and employment. (Inventory #: 21954)
[1] Universities (Scotland) (Degrees to Women) Bill [No. 6]. A Bill to Remove Doubts as to the Powers of the Universities of Scotland to Admit Women as Students and to Grant Degrees to Women. Ordered to be printed 8 February 1875. Prepared and brought in by Mr. Cowper-Temple, Mr. Russell Gurney, Mr. Orr Ewing, and Dr. Cameron. This early bill was designed to eliminate ambiguities in existing law that obstructed women’s access to higher education in Scotland. It explicitly authorized the admission of women to universities and the awarding of degrees, citing the earlier 1858 Act that governed Scottish university operations. The bill’s clarity and precision reflect Parliament’s growing engagement with women’s academic rights. Four pages. Toning and faint pencil note to upper corner. Very good.
[2] Education (Girls) Bill [No. 70]. A Bill to Extend the Duties and Powers of Educational Authorities with Regard to the Training of Girls. Ordered to be printed 14 March 1910. Presented by Sir Charles McLaren, supported by Mr. Atherley-Jones, Mr. J.M. Robertson, Mr. Snowden, and Mr. Theodore Taylor. This substantive legislative effort addressed gender inequality in employment and access to education. It proposed barring dismissal of female teachers upon marriage, mandating that publicly funded institutions provide equal access to women, and reallocating endowments for equitable gender distribution. Sections also provided for training in domestic arts and midwifery. Eight pages total, including title and memorandum. Light crease to margin; near fine.
[3] Education (Girls) Bill [No. 153]. A Bill to Give Better Educational Facilities to Women. Ordered to be printed 3 April 1911. Presented by Mr. Snowden, supported by Mr. Atherley-Jones, Mr. J.M. Robertson, and Mr. Theodore Taylor. This later iteration reaffirms and slightly refines the provisions of the 1910 bill. It reiterates non-discrimination against married women teachers, reasserts the equal access requirement for institutions and funding, and continues the support for domestic arts and midwifery education under the 1902 Act. The bill’s expanded language reflects the increasing integration of feminist principles into public educational policy. Eight pages total. Crisp and clean with only minor toning; near fine.
Paper lightly toned with light edge wear as expected. Overall very good to near fine condition. A critical collection of original legislative printings representing England and Scotland's shifting stances on gender equality in education and employment. (Inventory #: 21954)
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