Helen Connon
Encyclopedia
Helen Connon was an educational pioneer from Christchurch
, New Zealand
. She was the first woman in the British Empire
to win any university degree with honours.
Born in Melbourne
, in 1859 or 1860 to George Connon, a Welsh
carpenter and his Scottish
wife Helen Hart, she arrived in Dunedin around 1862, where she would be taught by Robert Stout
(who would later become Prime Minister
). After the family moved to Hokitika, she was enrolled in a boys' school, because the local girls school (a Dame school
) was considered inadequate by her mother. When the family moved to Christchurch
in 1874 the elder Helen pleaded with the then-newly arrived Macmillan Brown
to enrol Helen as Canterbury College
's first woman student. She matriculated in 1878, graduated with a BA in 1880 – the second woman arts graduate in the British Empire. She was beaten only by Kate Milligan Edger, also a New Zealander, who graduated on 11 July 1877.
When Connon graduated with an MA with first-class honours in English and Latin in 1881, she became the first woman in the British Empire to win a degree with honours.
Connon and Brown married at Christchurch on 9 December 1886. She died while travelling throught Rotorua
on 22 February 1903, survived by Brown and two daughters, including Millicent Amiel, who later married Archibald Baxter
and was mother to James K. Baxter
.
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's second-largest urban area after Auckland. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. She was the first woman in the British Empire
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
to win any university degree with honours.
Born in Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, in 1859 or 1860 to George Connon, a Welsh
Welsh
-Wales:* Wales, a country in the United Kingdom* Welsh language* Welsh people* Culture of Wales* Welsh cuisine-See also:*Walha*Welch *Walsh *Welshy...
carpenter and his Scottish
Scottish
Scottish may refer to something of, from, or related to Scotland, a country in northern Europe, part of the United Kingdom since 1707.Scottish may also refer to:-Languages:*Scottish English, the varieties of English spoken in Scotland...
wife Helen Hart, she arrived in Dunedin around 1862, where she would be taught by Robert Stout
Robert Stout
Sir Robert Stout, KCMG was the 13th Premier of New Zealand on two occasions in the late 19th century, and later Chief Justice of New Zealand. He was the only person to hold both these offices...
(who would later become Prime Minister
Prime Minister of New Zealand
The Prime Minister of New Zealand is New Zealand's head of government consequent on being the leader of the party or coalition with majority support in the Parliament of New Zealand...
). After the family moved to Hokitika, she was enrolled in a boys' school, because the local girls school (a Dame school
Dame school
A Dame School was an early form of a private elementary school in English-speaking countries. They were usually taught by women and were often located in the home of the teacher.- Britain :...
) was considered inadequate by her mother. When the family moved to Christchurch
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's second-largest urban area after Auckland. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of...
in 1874 the elder Helen pleaded with the then-newly arrived Macmillan Brown
John Macmillan Brown
John Macmillan Brown was a Scottish-New Zealand academic, administrator and promoter of education for women.Brown was born in Irvine, the sixth child of Ann Brown and her husband, James Brown, a sea captain. John was raised in a family that placed high value on education—for both sexes...
to enrol Helen as Canterbury College
University of Canterbury
The University of Canterbury , New Zealand's second-oldest university, operates its main campus in the suburb of Ilam in the city of Christchurch, New Zealand...
's first woman student. She matriculated in 1878, graduated with a BA in 1880 – the second woman arts graduate in the British Empire. She was beaten only by Kate Milligan Edger, also a New Zealander, who graduated on 11 July 1877.
When Connon graduated with an MA with first-class honours in English and Latin in 1881, she became the first woman in the British Empire to win a degree with honours.
Connon and Brown married at Christchurch on 9 December 1886. She died while travelling throught Rotorua
Rotorua
Rotorua is a city on the southern shores of the lake of the same name, in the Bay of Plenty region of the North Island of New Zealand. The city is the seat of the Rotorua District, a territorial authority encompassing the city and several other nearby towns...
on 22 February 1903, survived by Brown and two daughters, including Millicent Amiel, who later married Archibald Baxter
Archibald Baxter
Archibald McColl Learmond Baxter was a New Zealand pacifist, socialist, and anti-war activist.He refused to serve during the first world war, on the grounds that "all war is wrong, futile, and destructive alike to victor and vanquished." So he was arrested in 1917, imprisoned, then shipped to the...
and was mother to James K. Baxter
James K. Baxter
James Keir Baxter was a poet, and is a celebrated figure in New Zealand society.-Biography:Baxter was born in Dunedin to Archibald Baxter and Millicent Brown and grew up near Brighton. He was named after James Keir Hardie, a founder of the British Labour Party. His father had been a conscientious...
.
Further reading
- Easily the Best The life of Helen Connon, 1857-1903. Margaret Lovell-Smith. Canterbury University Press, 2004. ISBN 9781877257278