Grace Eleanor Hadow

Who was Grace Eleanor Hadow?

Grace Eleanor Hadow OBE was an author, principal of St Anne's College, Oxford University and vice-chairman of the Women's Institute.

Grace Hadow was born at South Cerney vicarage, near Cirencester. In 1888, Grace Hadow won a scholarship to study at Brownshill Court School, Stroud, England. In 1894, she went to Germany for two years to study language and music. From 1899 to 1900, she taught at Cheltenham Ladies' College. In 1900, she began studies in English at Somerville College, Oxford University. As a woman she was not allowed to sit exams or to receive a degree. She became president of the Women's Debating Society.

In 1903, Hadow went to teach at Bryn Mawr in the United States and returned to Somerville College in 1904 to work as a don. During the First World War, she was a member of the War Agricultural Committee and founded the Gloucestershire Women's Institute. In 1918, she was closely involved in the formation of the constitution of the WI in participation with Lady Denman.

In 1921, Hadow wrote the first edition of the National Federation of Women's Institutes handbook. From 1929–40, she was principal of the Society of Oxford Home Students