Barbara Gwyer

Barbara Elizabeth Gwyer (1 January 1881 – 16 February 1974) was an English academic administrator. She was Principal of St Hugh's College, Oxford from 1924 to 1946.^[1][2]

Early life and education

Gwyer was born on 1 January 1881 in Marylebone, London, England. Her parents were John Edward Gwyer and Edith Gwyer (née Linford), and she had a brother, Sir Maurice Gwyer. She was educated at the Grove School, an all-girls school in Highgate, Middlesex.^[2] In 1900, she matriculated into Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford to study classics.^[2][3] She achieved a second class in Mods in 1902, and a second class in Literae Humaniores in 1904.^[2] However, sh could not graduate as at the time the University of Oxford only gave degrees to men.^[2] In 1920, when the statues were changed, she graduted with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) and the Oxford MA.^[2][3]

Career

Having completed her degree in 1904, Gwyer worked as a secretary for two years.^[2] From 1906 to 1908, she was an educational organiser for the West Riding County Council's educational department.^[3]

Gwyer then moved into overseeing female students at university, an area where she would spend the rest of her career.^[2] From 1910 to 1916, she was Vice-Warden of Ashburne Hall, a hall of residence for women at the Victoria University of Manchester.^[2][3] From 1917 to 1924, she was Warden of University Hall, Leeds.^[3] From 1924 to 1946, she served as Principal of St Hugh's College, Oxford.^[3]

Later life

Following her retirement in 1946, Gwyer was made an honorary fellow of St Hugh's College, Oxford.^[2] She lived for the rest of her life in Stokenchurch, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, but was a regular visitor to St Hugh's.^[2][3] In old age, she became frail and used a wheelchair: she was described by Barbara Castle, who had studied at St Hugh's College, Oxford, as "a frail, gentle figure in a wheelchair—aeons away from the ogre I had known when she was principal".^[2] She died on 16 February 1974, aged 93.^[3]

References