Women’s History Month at Exeter College

Exeter College is proud to celebrate Women’s History Month this March. This year, Women’s History Month is particularly resonant since it coincides with the thirtieth anniversary of the election of Marilyn Butler as Rector of the College in 1993. This marked the first time that a previously all-male college at Oxford had a female head of house. Only fourteen years prior, Exeter College admitted its first co-ed cohort of students.

While women have not always studied at Exeter, they have helped shape the College and form a crucial part in the College’s history. From benefactors such as Amelia Jackson (1842 – 1925), the wife of Rector Jackson, whose generosity continues to support graduate scholars at Exeter today, to former Rector, Dame Frances Cairncross, whose vision and drive led to the creation of Cohen Quad, the biggest single physical expansion of the College since it moved to Turl St in 1315.

We intend to recognise the significance of this month with an article series by women at Exeter College on their experiences, research, careers, and their relationship to women’s history.

Keep an eye out on the News section of the Exeter website for new articles.

The first article, from Supernumerary Fellow Professor Marian Knight, is available here.

The second article, from Professor Nandini Das, is available here.

The third article, from Professor Jane Hiddleston, is available here.

Portrait of Marilyn Butler.