History Queen's_College,_London

f. d. maurice s painting hangs @ entrance hall

founded @ time when educational opportunities restricted women in britain, queen s college became pioneer in field of women s education , emancipation. led way in study of music women under william sterndale bennett , john pyke hullah among founding directors. @ time, establishment of college met criticism in press , founder f. d. maurice forced defend intention of teaching mathematics women against claims of dangerous consequences.

in 1845 david laing, chaplain of middlesex hospital raised money committee of patrons acquire building @ 47 harley street intention of creating home governesses between jobs. laing keen develop institution provide governesses education , certification. in 1847 acquired agreement of professors king s college london give lectures in home. queen victoria gave assent, promise of funds , agreed patron. in 1847, first lectures took place, committee of education established under chair of f. d. maurice, , number 45 purchased. in december of same year, first certificates issued. meanwhile, decided extend reach of education on offer women not governesses.

the waiting room

in days of college, education took place in form of lectures delivered girls alike aged 12 20. younger pupils given own school @ of buildings, open boys. waiting room became place girls gather , introduced lady resident chaperones remained them throughout classes , known lady visitors (one of them being henrietta stanley, baroness stanley of alderley). when college separated governesses benevolent institution in 1853, new governing council established, visitor , bishop of london figurehead, arrangement continues day. following resignation of maurice in 1853, richard chenevix trench became first principal , took on chair of committee of education.

by 1900 college offering broad, liberal education young women, , had resisted attempts become, or amalgamate with, college of london university. practice of offering lectures staff , visitors throughout year remained, , defining tradition of college.

during second world war, college narrowly escaped destruction when bomb exploded on opposite side of harley street. windows @ front of building smashed , plaster work damaged. college continued function during war classes held in bomb shelters constructed in main corridor. evacuation of pupils lake district , northamptonshire short-lived.

the college has been visited patrons 5 times. queen victoria came on 9 may 1898 fiftieth anniversary. herself wrote of occasion: on way out stopped @ queen s college in harley street, first ladies college ever founded in england, year celebrating jubilee. girls , ladies drawn outside. principal, dean , mrs robinson presented me. principal handed [me] address, , miss coudace, queen s scholar year, beautiful basket of roses.

queen mary visited in 1928, , queen elizabeth queen mother visited centenary in 1948 , again in 1972 , 1980.

the college ceased offer boarding accommodation in 1980s , kynaston house re-modelled old accommodation provide offices, senior common room , blue library.

in 2002, queen elizabeth queen mother opened queen s college preparatory school @ 61 portland place.