Evelyn Procter

Evelyn Emma Stefanos Procter, FRHistS (6 June 1897 – 1980) was a British historian and academic. She served as Principal of St Hugh's College, Oxford from 1946 to 1962.^[1][2]

Early life

Procter was born on 6 June 1897 in Hunton Bridge, Hertfordshire.^[1] She was educated at two all girls independent schools; Corran School for Girls in Watford and Cheltenham Ladies' College in Cheltenham.^[2] In 1915, she matriculated into Somerville College, Oxford as a commoner.^[2] Her college tutors were Margaret Hayes Robinson and Florence O'Loughlin.^[1] During her time at the University of Oxford, she was awarded a blue for lacrosse.^[2] In 1918, she graduated Bachelor of Arts (BA) with distinguished first class honours in Modern History.^[1][2]

Academic career

Procter began her academic career as a teacher at Saint Felix School, Southwold.^[1] After two years teaching, she was elected Mary Somerville Research Fellow at Somerville College, Oxford in 1921.^[2] She undertook research on the medieval history of Spain, including visits in 1922 to the archives in Madrid, Barcelona, Pamplona, and Lisbon.^[1] She was the first female scholar to be admitted to the National Historical Archive of Spain and the Biblioteca Nacional de España.^[1]

In 1925, she was appointed a tutor at St Hugh's College, Oxford and was elected a Fellow the following year.^[2] In 1933, she was appointed a university lecturer in medieval European history.^[1] In 1946, she was elected Principal of St Hugh's College.^[2] She was invited to deliver the Norman MacColl lectures at the University of Cambridge in the academic year 1948 to 1949. In 1951, she published the lectures as a monograph titled Alfonso X of Castile, Patron of Literature and Learning.^[1] She also acted as a supervisor for a number of postgraduates. These included Derek Lomax who became Professor of Spanish at Birmingham University, and Richard Fletcher who became Professor of History at the University of York.^[1]

She retired in 1962 and was elected an Honorary Fellow of St Hugh's College, Oxford.^[2]

Honours

Proctor had been elected Fellow of the Royal Historical Society (FRHistS).^[2] She was appointed Chevalier of the Légion d'honneur in honour of her role in the foundation of the Maison Française d'Oxford.^[1]

References