Josephine Butler to Mr Sidgwick

Written from Liverpool. Under consideration is the question whether Miss Clough is the best person to be President of the North of England Council. JB's opinion is that as Miss C. is bound to consider first the interest of the Cambridge scheme (for Merton Hall) she could not be wholehearted in pushing the interests of the other.

Apr 9 [1871]. Date: 'She is wise to make Merton Hall her 1st object' - In 1871 Miss A J Clough was invited to take charge of Merton Hall as a residential hostel for women students at Cambridge. Merton Hall was moved to Newnham in 1875 and was incorporated as Newnham College in 1880. Miss Clough was Principal of Newnham for 21 years. Miss Clough had taken on the office of President of the Northern Council for the Higher Education of Women on the resignation of JB from the office in 1869. JB thought that Miss Clough would be bound to consider first the Cambridge scheme, which was the line she took.

The North of England Council for the Higher Education of Women (NECHE). For a full study of this body see 'The North of England Council for Promoting the Higher Education of Women 1867-1875/6' by Sheila C Lemoine M Ed Thesis Sep 1968. With the help of Josephine Butler and her husband, who was at that time Principal of Liverpool College, Anne Clough arranged for a series of lectures to be given to women and girls in several northern towns. From these lectures sprang the NECHE with Josephine Butler as President and Anne Clough as Hon Sec. These lecture courses were extended within a year into what was to be named the University Extension Scheme

Biog: Mr Sidgwick; Miss AJ Clough