Louisa Lumsden

Louisa Lumsden
on 4 July 1925 by Bassano Ltd
Born
Louisa Innes Lumsden

31 December 1840
Aberdeen, Scotland
Died2 January 1935 (1935-01-03) (aged 94)
Edinburgh, Scotland
EducationGirton College, Cambridge
OccupationHeadmistress St Leonards School (1877–82)
Known for
  • Girton pioneer
  • Campaigner for equality for women in education
AwardsHonorary LL.D (St.A.)

Dame Louisa Innes Lumsden DBE (31 December 1840 – 2 January 1935) was a Scottish pioneer of female education. Lumsden was one of the first five students Hitchen College, later Girton College, Cambridge in 1869 and one of the first three women to pass the Tripos exam in 1873. She returned as the first female resident and tutor to Girton in 1873.

From 1877-82, Lumsden became the first Headmistress of St Leonards School, Fife, and first warden of University Hall, University of St Andrews which opened in 1896. She is credited with introducing lacrosse to St Leonards.

In 1908, Lumsden was asked to become the President of the Aberdeen branch of the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies (NUWSS). When Scottish suffrage organisations organised the planting of The Suffrage Oak to mark some women getting the vote in 1918, Lumsden at age 78 was given the 'honour' of planting the tree.