Lucy Cavendish
Encyclopedia
Lucy Caroline Cavendish, Lady Frederick Cavendish (née Lyttelton, September 5, 1841 – April 22, 1925) was a pioneer of women's education.
The second daughter of George William Lyttelton, 4th Baron Lyttelton, she became Maid of Honour to Queen Victoria in 1863. Her mother's sister was married to William Ewart Gladstone
. The following year she married Lord Frederick Cavendish
, the second-eldest son of the Duke of Devonshire
. It is here that her link with the University of Cambridge
began, as her father-in-law was the University's Chancellor. On 7 June 1864 she married Lord Frederick Cavendish
, who entered Parliament in 1865 and was assassinated by Irish
nationalists during the Phoenix Park Murders
on 6 May 1882, the day he took the oath of office of Chief Secretary for Ireland
.
Lucy Cavendish held the post of President of the Yorkshire
Ladies Council of Education from 1883 to 1912. She declined the offer of becoming the Mistress of Girton College, Cambridge
in 1884. She was a member of the Royal Commission on Secondary Education and was a founding member of the Council of the Girls' Public Day School Company
(which had been founded by her father the 4th Lord Lyttleton).
On 6 October 1904 she received the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws at the formal inauguration of the University of Leeds
for "notable service to the cause of education".
Lucy Cavendish College, Cambridge
was named in her honour. She was the great aunt of one of its founders, Margaret Braithwaite.
The second daughter of George William Lyttelton, 4th Baron Lyttelton, she became Maid of Honour to Queen Victoria in 1863. Her mother's sister was married to William Ewart Gladstone
William Ewart Gladstone
William Ewart Gladstone FRS FSS was a British Liberal statesman. In a career lasting over sixty years, he served as Prime Minister four separate times , more than any other person. Gladstone was also Britain's oldest Prime Minister, 84 years old when he resigned for the last time...
. The following year she married Lord Frederick Cavendish
Lord Frederick Cavendish
Lord Frederick Charles Cavendish was an English Liberal politician and protégé of the Prime Minister, William Ewart Gladstone...
, the second-eldest son of the Duke of Devonshire
Duke of Devonshire
Duke of Devonshire is a title in the peerage of England held by members of the Cavendish family. This branch of the Cavendish family has been one of the richest and most influential aristocratic families in England since the 16th century, and have been rivalled in political influence perhaps only...
. It is here that her link with the University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
began, as her father-in-law was the University's Chancellor. On 7 June 1864 she married Lord Frederick Cavendish
Lord Frederick Cavendish
Lord Frederick Charles Cavendish was an English Liberal politician and protégé of the Prime Minister, William Ewart Gladstone...
, who entered Parliament in 1865 and was assassinated by Irish
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
nationalists during the Phoenix Park Murders
Phoenix Park Murders
The Phoenix Park Murders were the fatal stabbings on 6 May 1882 in the Phoenix Park in Dublin of Lord Frederick Cavendish and Thomas Henry Burke. Cavendish was the newly appointed Chief Secretary for Ireland, and Burke was the Permanent Undersecretary, the most senior Irish civil servant...
on 6 May 1882, the day he took the oath of office of Chief Secretary for Ireland
Chief Secretary for Ireland
The Chief Secretary for Ireland was a key political office in the British administration in Ireland. Nominally subordinate to the Lord Lieutenant, from the late 18th century until the end of British rule he was effectively the government minister with responsibility for governing Ireland; usually...
.
Lucy Cavendish held the post of President of the Yorkshire
Yorkshire
Yorkshire is a historic county of northern England and the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its great size in comparison to other English counties, functions have been increasingly undertaken over time by its subdivisions, which have also been subject to periodic reform...
Ladies Council of Education from 1883 to 1912. She declined the offer of becoming the Mistress of Girton College, Cambridge
Girton College, Cambridge
Girton College is one of the 31 constituent colleges of the University of Cambridge. It was England's first residential women's college, established in 1869 by Emily Davies and Barbara Bodichon. The full college status was only received in 1948 and marked the official admittance of women to the...
in 1884. She was a member of the Royal Commission on Secondary Education and was a founding member of the Council of the Girls' Public Day School Company
Girls' Day School Trust
The Girls' Day School Trust is a group of 26 independent schools - 24 schools and two Academies - in England and Wales, catering for pupils aged 3 to 18. It is the largest group of independent schools in the UK, and educates 20,000 girls each year...
(which had been founded by her father the 4th Lord Lyttleton).
On 6 October 1904 she received the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws at the formal inauguration of the University of Leeds
University of Leeds
The University of Leeds is a British Redbrick university located in the city of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England...
for "notable service to the cause of education".
Lucy Cavendish College, Cambridge
Lucy Cavendish College, Cambridge
Lucy Cavendish College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. It is a women-only college, which admits only postgraduates and undergraduates aged 21 or over....
was named in her honour. She was the great aunt of one of its founders, Margaret Braithwaite.
External links
- Who was Lucy Cavendish?
- The Diary of Lady Frederick Cavendish (or Lady Lucy Cavendish) (blog) Edited by John Bailey with illustrations Vol. I and II, New York, Frederick A. Stokes Company Publishers, First Edition 1927