Winifred Todhunter
Encyclopedia
Winifred Ada Todhunter was an educator, translator and founder of the Todhunter School for girls in New York City
.
Educated at Cheltenham Ladies' College
and London Day Training College, she was awarded a Gilchrist travelling studentship by the University of London
for distinction in her B.A. degree in 1904. Said to be a graduate of the University of Oxford
, she translated Voltaire
's historical novel about Charles XII of Sweden
in 1908. After lecturing in history at Stockwell Training College, she succeeded Canon Rowe as Principal of Lincoln Training College for Mistresses in 1912.
In 1921 Todhunter purchased and renamed a private school for girls in Manhattan
. The Todhunter School became known for being more than just a finishing school
, but provided courses in the arts and a solid preparation for college
. When Eleanor Roosevelt
learned in 1927 that Todhunter wished to retire to England and needed a buyer for the school, Mrs. Roosevelt proposed a partnership with Marion Dickerman
, who was then the school's vice-principal, and Nancy Cook
. The school eventually in 1939 became part of The Dalton School
.
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
.
Educated at Cheltenham Ladies' College
Cheltenham Ladies' College
The Cheltenham Ladies' College is an independent boarding and day school for girls aged 11 to 18 in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England.-History:The school was founded in 1853...
and London Day Training College, she was awarded a Gilchrist travelling studentship by the University of London
University of London
-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
for distinction in her B.A. degree in 1904. Said to be a graduate of the University of Oxford
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
, she translated Voltaire
Voltaire
François-Marie Arouet , better known by the pen name Voltaire , was a French Enlightenment writer, historian and philosopher famous for his wit and for his advocacy of civil liberties, including freedom of religion, free trade and separation of church and state...
's historical novel about Charles XII of Sweden
Charles XII of Sweden
Charles XII also Carl of Sweden, , Latinized to Carolus Rex, Turkish: Demirbaş Şarl, also known as Charles the Habitué was the King of the Swedish Empire from 1697 to 1718...
in 1908. After lecturing in history at Stockwell Training College, she succeeded Canon Rowe as Principal of Lincoln Training College for Mistresses in 1912.
In 1921 Todhunter purchased and renamed a private school for girls in Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
. The Todhunter School became known for being more than just a finishing school
Finishing school
A finishing school is "a private school for girls that emphasises training in cultural and social activities." The name reflects that it follows on from ordinary school and is intended to complete the educational experience, with classes primarily on etiquette...
, but provided courses in the arts and a solid preparation for college
College
A college is an educational institution or a constituent part of an educational institution. Usage varies in English-speaking nations...
. When Eleanor Roosevelt
Eleanor Roosevelt
Anna Eleanor Roosevelt was the First Lady of the United States from 1933 to 1945. She supported the New Deal policies of her husband, distant cousin Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and became an advocate for civil rights. After her husband's death in 1945, Roosevelt continued to be an international...
learned in 1927 that Todhunter wished to retire to England and needed a buyer for the school, Mrs. Roosevelt proposed a partnership with Marion Dickerman
Marion Dickerman
Marion Dickerman was an American suffragette, educator, vice-principal of the Todhunter School and an intimate of Eleanor Roosevelt.-Birth and early life:...
, who was then the school's vice-principal, and Nancy Cook
Nancy Cook
Nancy Cook was an American suffragette, teacher, part owner of the Todhunter School and an intimate of Eleanor Roosevelt.-Birth and early life:...
. The school eventually in 1939 became part of The Dalton School
The Dalton School
The Dalton School, originally called the Children's University School, is a private university-preparatory school on New York City's Upper East Side and a member of both the New York Interschooland the Ivy Preparatory School League...
.
Works
- (transl.) Voltaire's History of Charles XII, King of Sweden, London: JM Dent, New York: EP Dutton, 1908