English and Related Literature
Recovering the Women of the YPS
Posted on 8 May 2018
MA student, Rachel Campbell, has completed a placement at the Yorkshire Museum on 'Hidden Women in the early Yorkshire Philosophical Society'.
The Yorkshire Philosophical Society was set up in 1822. Its main aim was to help improve members’ understanding of the natural sciences. Though women were not given membership until 1850, as Annual Subscribers they had access to the Museum and Museum Gardens. And, as Rachel’s research has shown, women also found ways to take part by donating money and objects to the museum.
Among the early donors were members of the Norcliffe/Best family. Anne Norcliffe, of Langton Wold, was the first woman to be mentioned on the list of donors. Her daughter Mary Norcliffe Best donated Roman artefacts, and various insects. Mary Ellen Best, a well-known artist, regularly visited the Gardens and Museum, meeting other members of the Society and enlarging her circle of acquaintances and potential patrons.
Rachel undertook her research as part of a Public History Placement, an option module open to students on the department’s interdisciplinary MAs. She was mentored by Professor Jon Mee and Judith Glover, Vice Chair of the Yorkshire Philosophical Society.