Talk:Somerville College, Oxford

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Wow.... i have to do a paper on Mary Somerville for my math class..... she had a really odd...life


[edit] Principal

I have heard that Agnes Maitland was Warden and that the title changed to Principal during her term (possibly when Hall became College?). To quote the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (DNB)

"When in 1889 Miss Maitland was appointed warden of Somerville Hall, Oxford," Agnes Maitland

I also saw Maitland referred to as Warden in a biography of Margery Fry. I could though be confused on how the terminology is used. I also note that all the principals upto and including Janet Vaughan have DNB entries so are probably deserving of wikipedia articles in their own right --Erp 20:56, 7 April 2006 (UTC)

The terminology for 'heads of house' at Oxbridge colleges varies considerably - warden, principal, dean, master, rector, provost, president ..., however I don't believe Warden has ever been used for Somerville.
In the official College history Somerville for women, written by the current Archivist and Vice-Principal of the College (which I added as a reference to the article) the post is referred to as 'Principal' from the first holder, Warden is nowhere mentioned. Likewise in the memorial inscriptions in the College chapel Madeleine Shaw Lefvre is styled Principal of Somerville Hall, and Agnes Maitland is styled Principal of Somerville Hall 1886-1894 and Principal of Somerville College 1894-1906. Also in A Strong Supporting Cast, a biography of the Shaw Lefevres, in the discussion of the appointment of Madeleine to the Principalship (pp 297-300) a contemporaneous letter is apparently quoted, with the College wanting to offer the 'Principalship' to someone. Dr pda 22:46, 7 April 2006 (UTC)
That looks pretty defnitive. Though it looks like the DNB is a bit casual in their use of the word warden. --Erp 00:18, 8 April 2006 (UTC)

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[edit] Notable alumni/alumnae section heading

The college is no longer female only, so this form of the word is incorrect. In addition, if the term 'alumnae' is to be used, then the title of Category:Alumni of Somerville College, Oxford needs amending in accordance. Since the college is no longer female only, then this section heading will be out of date when notable male students are added. It seems, therefore, highly odd to distinguish in this case. I suggest that the usual term 'alumni' be used. ColdmachineTalk 09:38, 28 December 2007 (UTC)