Mary Ward
(1851-1920) – Educationalist and social activist 1 Mary Ward was closely involved in the negotiations surrounding the foundation of Somerville Hall. She was the person who originally suggested that Somerville......
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Esther Rantzen
Journalist and television presenter 1 Esther Rantzen went to school in the US and London before coming to Somerville in 1959 to study English. At Oxford she performed with the......
Janet Vaughan
(1899-1993) – Physiologist, Principal of Somerville 1945-67 1 Janet Vaughan grew up in Bristol and came to Somerville in 1919 to study Medicine, graduating with a First (despite having, as......
Shriti Vadera
Businesswoman and Chair of the Royal Shakespeare Company 1 Shriti Vadera grew up in Uganda before her family fled to India and later to the UK. She came to Somerville......
Xand van Tulleken
Doctor and television presenter 1 Xand (Alexander) van Tulleken grew up in London and came to Somerville in 1996 to study Physiological Sciences. After qualifying as a doctor, he specialised......
Margaret Thatcher
(1925-2013) – Prime Minister of the United Kingdom 1979-1990 1 Margaret Thatcher grew up in Lincolnshire and came to Somerville in 1943 to study Chemistry. After graduation, she worked briefly......
Enid Starkie
(1897-1970) – Literary critic 1 Enid Starkie was born in Dublin and educated by a series of governesses (of whom one was French, sparking Starkie’s profound love of France). Starkie......
Cornelia Sorabji
(1866-1954) – Pioneering lawyer and activist 1 Cornelia Sorabji came to Somerville in 1889 to study Law. She was the first woman admitted to read Law at Oxford University and......
Mary Somerville
(1780-1872) – Scientist and polymath 1 The Scottish astronomer, mathematician and geographer Mary Somerville's interest in science was first kindled as a child by the natural world. During her adolescence,......
Catherine Duleep Singh
(1871-1942) – Suffrage activist 1 Catherine Duleep Singh grew up in India until her father was deposed as ruler of the Punjab. He was offered sanctuary in England, and Duleep......