Jessie Anne Douglas Montgomery (1851–1918), known as Jessie Montgomery, was an English educational administrator, activist and suffragist associated with women's formal education in the Exeter area.[1]
Early life
editMontgomery was born on 6 August 1851 in London to the Rev. Robert Montgomery (1807–1855) and his wife Rachel Catherine Andrews McKenzie (1814−1882).[2][3] On Robert's death, his widow and daughter moved to Exeter, where they lived in the Cathedral Close with Rachel's sister, Jessie Barbara Cook (1811–1899), and her husband, Rev. Frederic Charles Cook (1805–1889), Canon of Exeter Cathedral.[4]
After her mother's death in 1882,[5] Montgomery moved to a large house in Baring Crescent, Exeter.
Education career
editDespite limited opportunities for her own education, Montgomery became an activist over several decades for women's education in the Exeter area. Having successfully completed several courses at the Exeter Museum Centre, she became joint secretary to the University Extension Centre,[6] and convenor of the Ladies' Students' Association. She became a governor of the Royal Albert Memorial Museum College, which became the Royal Albert Memorial College, the forerunner of both the University College of the South-West and then the University of Exeter.[4]
Suffragist
editMontgomery inaugurated the Exeter Branch of the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies, and became its first secretary (1909–1911). Despite her organisation, activism and public speaking for women's suffrage, she did not survive long enough to cast a vote.[4]
Death and legacy
editOn 13 October 1918, aged 67, Montgomery died in hospital in Southampton during an operation.[4][7]
She is commemorated by a memorial in the Exeter Cathedral.[8]
A house in the University of Exeter former Duryard Halls of Residence was named "Jessie Montgomery" in her honour.[8] A Common Room at Duryard Hall was previously named after her.[9]
References
edit- ^ Profile, devonhistorysociety.org.uk. Accessed 2 August 2023.
- ^ GRO: Marriages Dec 1843 (>99%) McKenzie Rachel Catherine Andrews St George Hanover Square 1 3 Montgomery Robert St Geo Han Sq 1 3
- ^ "Douglas of Glenbervie". Douglas History. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
- ^ a b c d "Miss Jessie Montgomery". Devon History Society. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
- ^ GRO: Deaths Sep 1882 (>99%) Montgomery Rachel 67 Exeter 5b 51
- ^ University of Exeter website, Exeter University Club: Exeter Branch, Newsletter Number 33, December 2017, page 11
- ^ GRO: Deaths Dec 1918 (>99%) Montgomery Jessie D 63 [sic] Southampton 2c 138
- ^ a b Woman and Her Sphere website, Suffrage Stories: Devon Suffragists, March 26, 2013
- ^ University of Exeter website, Special Collections Archive, Jessie Montgomery common room, Duryard Halls
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