Lady Margaret Hall (usually referred to as 'LMH') was founded in 1878 by a small group of High Anglicans, including the Warden of Keble College, Edward (later Bishop) Talbot, and his wife Lavinia. It was, with Somerville, the first of the Colleges for women and opened in October 1879 with nine students under the supervision of its first principal Elizabeth Wordsworth (1840-1932). LMH became co-educational in 1979. Famous alumni include the founder of The Save the Children Fund, Eglantyne Jebb, diplomat and archaeologist Gertrude Bell and Suffragist Dame Kathleen Courtney.
The archive preserves the College’s formal administrative records, as well records relating to its buildings and extensive gardens and several albums of photographs and cuttings. Papers held include correspondence and journals belonging to Elizabeth Wordsworth, the papers of economist and third Principal Lynda Grier (1880-1967) as well as the unique memoirs of Helena Deneke (1878-1973) and her sister Margaret (1882-1969).
Archivist: Mr Oliver Mahony
Opening hours: Monday and Tuesday 9am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-4.30pm (by appointment only)
Address: Lady Margaret Hall, Norham Gardens, Oxford OX2 6QA
E-mail: archivist@lmh.ox.ac.uk
Web: http://www.lmh.ox.ac.uk/about-lmh/history-and-archives
Further Reading:
Dr. Frances Lannon, ‘Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford: The first 125 years’ (Oxford, 2004)
