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Meet our women historians!

Drawing of Anne Wright

Anne Wright (1924-1981)

Anne Margaret Chaloner Wright had a life-long connection to St Andrews. She was born here, the daughter of an academic; was educated here; and spent the last 15 years of her life as Warden of Hamilton Hall and lecturer…

B&W photo of Doris Ketelbey, about 1940

Caroline Doris Ketelbey (1896-1990)

Doris Ketelbey was the first woman to hold a long-term position as member of staff in History at St Andrews [read about other early women staff]. She was appointed as an Assistant Lecturer in 1935; and retired as…

Head and shoulders photo of dark-haired woman, Edith Johnston

Edith Johnston PhD (1930-2008)

Edith Mary Johnston, MA 1951 PhD 1956 (later, Mrs Liik) As far as we know, Edith Mary Johnston (1930-2008) was the first female St. Andrews PhD historian to go on to an academic career.  Born in Belfast, in 1930 to…

Young woman in short-sleeved white blouse

Elizabeth Menzies PhD (1928-2008)

Elizabeth Alexandra Menzies, MA 1949, PhD 1954 (later, Mrs Johnson) Elizabeth Menzies (1928-2008) was the third woman to have been awarded a Ph.D. in History from St Andrews (although she seems to have been based at…

Edith Thomson PhD (1901-1988)

Edith Elizabeth Bruce Thomson, MA 1923; PhD 1928 (later Mrs Bracelin)   Edith Thomson was the second woman to be awarded a Ph.D. in History at St Andrews. Her academic career appears to have been very similar to that…

Edith MacQueen PhD (1900-1977)

Edith Edgar MacQueen (1900-1977) MA 1922, PhD 1927 (later Mrs Haden-Guest, later Lady Haden-Guest) Edith MacQueen appears to have been the first woman historian to be awarded a Ph.D. in History by the University of St…