Women in Teacher Training Colleges, 1900-1960: A Culture of Femininity

An intricate and fascinating investigation of the lives and experiences of women in these important and increasingly archaic institutions of the early twentieth century. The book provides an overview of the historical context of the development of the colleges and focuses on the histories of three colleges in particular: Homerton, Avery Hill and Bishop Otter. Drawing on a wealth of archival material, primary and secondary sources, and on the oral testimonies of former pupils and teachers, the book examines the following key themes: * the changing social class of women students * the colleges' 'culture of femininity' drawn from the organization and social practices of the middle-class home * the role of the college staff and the residential context of college life women's sexuality * the last days of the women's colleges. Women in Teacher Training Colleges, 1900-1960is an essential contribution to women's history and gives a unique insight into this neglected aspect ofwomen's experiences in the twentieth century.

Elizabeth Edwards is a Senior Research Associate of Homerton College, Cambridge, and is a former librarian and archivist of the college.