[Illustration: DOROTHEA BEALE FROM A PAINTING BY J. J. SHANNON _Frontispiece_] PIONEERS OF PROGRESS WOMEN EDITED BY ETHEL M. BARTON DOROTHEA BEALE PRINCIPAL OF THE CHELTENHAM LADIES’ COLLEGE 1858-1906 _WITH TWO PORTRAITS_ BY ELIZABETH H. SHILLITO, B.A. (LOND.) LONDON SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE NEW YORK: THE MACMILLAN COMPANY 1920 “Some there are who go forth to their own life-work with the holy hands of the dead who live laid on their hearts, who feel that they have a debt to repay, who see a ray of life from afar cast upon all they do, and bear about for ever a light within, which they must pass on for the sake of the dead who live.” EDWARD THRING. Great Souls who sail uncharted seas, Battling with hostile winds and tide,-- Strong hands that forged forbidden keys, And left the door behind them wide. Diggers for gold where most had failed, Smiling at deeds that brought them Fame,-- Lighters of lamps that have not failed-- Lend us your oil, and share your flame. TO DR. ELSIE MAUD INGLIS WHOSE CRIMEA WAS SERBIA, BUT WHOSE POST-WAR WORK IS IN ANOTHER WORLD SYNOPSIS OF CHAPTERS. CHAPTER I. PAGE Discoveries and enterprises of the Nineteenth Century--Effect on the educational world--Girls’ education in age of Elizabeth and in Nineteenth Century--Protests against the latter--Pioneers of higher education--Our indebtedness to them 1 CHAPTER II. Dorothea Beale--Parentage--Mrs. Cornwallis and her daughter--Their influence on Dorothea Beale--Home life--Early education--School life--Time of self-education--Attitude to games--Reading in early life--Euclid--School in France--Some personal characteristics--Religious and other influences of home 4 CHAPTER III. History of Queen’s College--Early students--Rev. F. D. Maurice--His opening address--Dorothea Beale’s attitude to teaching--Study and friendship at Queen’s College--Appointment there--Difficulties--Resignation--Impetuosity of nature--Some inherent difficulties of women’s life 10 CHAPTER IV.