Hersilia Susie Oliphant
Hersilia Susie Oliphant (1883–1962) was an English educationist who founded two secondary schools in Dehradun, India.
Biography
Born on August 17, 1883, in Retford, England.[1] She spent her early life at Clayworth Hall, Retford, Nottinghamshire.[2]
She became an English governess for Gayatri Devi in 1920, leading to various teaching positions in Kanpur, New Delhi, and Dehradun.[1][3]
In 1936, Oliphant founded Welham Boys' School (named Welham Preparatory School at founding) in Dehradun, aimed at broadening educational access.[1] She named the school after her hometown Welham, Nottinghamshire.[3]
Inspired to create equal opportunities, Oliphant initiated a sister institution for girls, named Welham Girls' School with the help of Grace Mary Linnel, a fellow educator from Hyderabad.[1] The school was officially founded in 1957 with just ten students.[1]
In 1956, Oliphant donated her assets to the Welham Boys' School, currently governed by a board of trustees.[1][2] Following a return to England due to illness in 1962, Oliphant died later that year.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g White, Emily (August 30, 2020). "Meet the woman who paved the way for equal education for girls in India". LincolnshireLive.
- ^ a b Chopkra, Jaskiran (2018-09-18). "A Tribute to Miss H S Oliphant, a prominent Pioneer of School Education in Doon Valley". The Pioneer.
- ^ a b Chopra, Jaskiran (22 September 2019). "Dehradun's journey to town of schools, with Miss Oliphant". The Tribune. Retrieved 5 April 2023.