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Somerville Hall to Somerville College

Somerville's second Principal, Agnes Maitland, came from a very different background, and had a very different character, to Madeleine Shaw Lefevre. During her principalship, the College grew in numbers from 35 to 86 students, consolidated its tutorial staff, raised the funds to build its own library, and established a research fellowship.

In 1891 Somerville became the first of the women's halls to adopt a qualifying exam for candidates, and then in 1894 became the first women's hall to adopt the name of college, on the grounds that it would "not only improve the educational status of Somerville  in the eyes of the public, but would be understood as implying the desire of Governing Body to raise it above the level of a hall of residence". By consolidating its tutorial body, Somerville played a leading role in establishing regular conditions of employment in what was essentially a new profession for women.

Agnes Maitland is duly commemorated by the building that bears her name, and by Somerville's impressive Hall. Given that she worked so hard to raise the funds for its establishment, it is fitting that the first major building to be completed was the Library.

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