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Edith Emily Dornwell
First NameEdithMiddle NameEmilyDate of Birth31 August 1865Date of Death18 November 1945Biography|
Edith Emily Dornwell was born on 31 August 1865 at Auckland, New Zealand1 to Bernhard Carl and Sarah Ann Dornwell (nee Phillips), formerly of Adelaide.2 It is unclear why the Dornwell family were in New Zealand, and when or why they returned to South Australia. The family evidently returned to South Australia early in Edith’s childhood, as Bernhard C Dornwell is recorded as living in Norwood in 1870.3
While attending the Advanced School for Girls in 1880, Edith won first prize and £20 in the Exhibition for Girls Examination.4 Two years later, she matriculated with honours in French, German, and animal physiology.5
In 1883, Edith was the first woman to attend the University of Adelaide and the first person to enrol in the Bachelor of Science degree.6 She placed first in her class, consistently performing ahead of her male peers, and when she graduated in 1885, she became the first woman graduate of the University.7 At her graduation, Chancellor Sir Samuel Way stated:
After graduating, Edith returned to the Advanced School for Girls, where she taught mathematics, physics, Latin and physiology.9 Edith later went on to teach interstate at the Methodist Ladies College in Victoria and the Riviere College in Woollahra.10
On 13 February 1895, Edith married Lionel Charles Raymond at St Andrew’s Church, Walkerville.11
Edith passed away on 18 November 194512.
Footnotes: [1] South Australian Register 1865, ‘Births’, South Australian Register, 4 October, p. 2, viewed 25 August 2022, <https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/41034390> |
