Ada Comstock
Encyclopedia
Ada Comstock was an American women's education pioneer. She served as the first dean of women at the University of Minnesota
and later as the first full-time president of Radcliffe College
.
to Solomon Gilman Comstock
, an attorney, and Sarah Ball Comstock. The oldest of three children, she graduated from Moorhead High School
at age 15. Comstock began her undergraduate studies at the University of Minnesota
in 1892, transferring to Smith College
after two years. After graduating from Smith in 1897, she returned to Minnesota to complete a graduate course in teaching at Moorhead Normal School (now Minnesota State University, Moorhead), then went to Columbia University
where she earned a master's degree in 1899.
. She was promoted to the position of instructor in 1900 and assistant professor in 1904. She was appointed the school's first dean of women in 1907 and a full professor in 1909. In 1912 Comstock accepted an invitation to become the dean of Smith College, where she served as acting president for a period in 1917-1918. From 1921 to 1923, she served as president of American Association of University Women
. On October 20, 1923, Comstock was inaugurated as president of Radcliffe College
. She spent twenty years leading the school, strengthening its academic programs and, in 1943, persuaded Harvard
to accept classroom coeducation.
In addition to her academic career, Comstock was appointed to the National Committee on Law Observation and Enforcement, known as the Wickersham Commission
, in 1929.
After her retirement from Radcliffe, Comstock remained active in academia, serving on the Smith board of trustees, working on a graduate center for Radcliffe, and traveling extensively in support of her husband's research.
on December 12, 1973.
The largest collection of her papers, the Ada Louise Comstock Papers, 1897-1950, are housed at the Smith College Archives.
Comstock's name has been honored with buildings on college and university campuses, including Comstock Hall at the University of Minnesota and Comstock Hall in the Radcliffe Quad , a program for non-traditional students at Smith College, and a lecture series.
University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
and later as the first full-time president of Radcliffe College
Radcliffe College
Radcliffe College was a women's liberal arts college in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and was the coordinate college for Harvard University. It was also one of the Seven Sisters colleges. Radcliffe College conferred joint Harvard-Radcliffe diplomas beginning in 1963 and a formal merger agreement with...
.
Early life and education
Ada Louise Comstock was born on December 11, 1876 in Moorhead, MinnesotaMoorhead, Minnesota
Moorhead is a city in Clay County, Minnesota, United States, and the largest city in northwest Minnesota. The population was 38,065 at the 2010 Census. It is the county seat of Clay County....
to Solomon Gilman Comstock
Solomon Comstock
Solomon Gilman Comstock was a U.S. Representative from Minnesota as a member of the 51st Congress of the United States of America.-Biography:...
, an attorney, and Sarah Ball Comstock. The oldest of three children, she graduated from Moorhead High School
Moorhead High School
Moorhead High School is a secondary school in Moorhead, Minnesota. Established in 1883, the school serves approximately 1600 students in grades 9-12.-Extracurricular activities:...
at age 15. Comstock began her undergraduate studies at the University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
in 1892, transferring to Smith College
Smith College
Smith College is a private, independent women's liberal arts college located in Northampton, Massachusetts. It is the largest member of the Seven Sisters...
after two years. After graduating from Smith in 1897, she returned to Minnesota to complete a graduate course in teaching at Moorhead Normal School (now Minnesota State University, Moorhead), then went to Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
where she earned a master's degree in 1899.
Career
Comstock began her career at the University of Minnesota as an assistant in the rhetoric department under Maria L. SanfordMaria L. Sanford
Maria Louise Sanford was an American educator.Maria Sanford was born in Saybrook, Connecticut. Her love for education began early; at the age of 16 she was already teaching in county day schools. She graduated from Connecticut Normal School , using her dowry funds for tuition...
. She was promoted to the position of instructor in 1900 and assistant professor in 1904. She was appointed the school's first dean of women in 1907 and a full professor in 1909. In 1912 Comstock accepted an invitation to become the dean of Smith College, where she served as acting president for a period in 1917-1918. From 1921 to 1923, she served as president of American Association of University Women
American Association of University Women
The American Association of University Women advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, and research. It was founded in 1882 by Ellen Swallow Richards and Marion Talbot...
. On October 20, 1923, Comstock was inaugurated as president of Radcliffe College
Radcliffe College
Radcliffe College was a women's liberal arts college in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and was the coordinate college for Harvard University. It was also one of the Seven Sisters colleges. Radcliffe College conferred joint Harvard-Radcliffe diplomas beginning in 1963 and a formal merger agreement with...
. She spent twenty years leading the school, strengthening its academic programs and, in 1943, persuaded Harvard
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
to accept classroom coeducation.
In addition to her academic career, Comstock was appointed to the National Committee on Law Observation and Enforcement, known as the Wickersham Commission
Wickersham Commission
U.S. President Herbert Hoover established the Wickersham Commission, officially called the National Commission on Law Observance and Enforcement, on May 20th, 1929. Former Attorney General George W...
, in 1929.
After her retirement from Radcliffe, Comstock remained active in academia, serving on the Smith board of trustees, working on a graduate center for Radcliffe, and traveling extensively in support of her husband's research.
Marriage
A week after her retirement from Radcliffe, Comstock married Yale professor emeritus Wallace Notestein. The couple had no children together. He died in 1969.Death and afterward
Ada Comstock Notestein died of congestive heart failure at her home in New Haven, ConnecticutNew Haven, Connecticut
New Haven is the second-largest city in Connecticut and the sixth-largest in New England. According to the 2010 Census, New Haven's population increased by 5.0% between 2000 and 2010, a rate higher than that of the State of Connecticut, and higher than that of the state's five largest cities, and...
on December 12, 1973.
The largest collection of her papers, the Ada Louise Comstock Papers, 1897-1950, are housed at the Smith College Archives.
Comstock's name has been honored with buildings on college and university campuses, including Comstock Hall at the University of Minnesota and Comstock Hall in the Radcliffe Quad , a program for non-traditional students at Smith College, and a lecture series.
Awards and honors
- 1958: Jane Addams Medal, Rockford College
- 1966: Founder's Award, Radcliffe College
- 1967: Hollins Medal