Armitage, Ella Sophia

Definition

Ella Sophia (Bulley) Armitage (1841–1931) was a medieval archaeologist, a historian, an educator, a hymn writer, a master of many languages, an accomplished pianist, and a wife and mother of two children. Born in Liverpool, she was first educated at home, but later attended Newnham College, Cambridge, learned multiple languages, and became a research student at Manchester University where she later received an Honorary M.A. degree in 1919 for her work in archaeology. From 1877 to 1879, she was a history instructor at Owens College, Manchester, which later became Manchester University. Her interest in the education of girls led to her appointment as assistant commissioner to the royal commission on secondary education to explore girls’ education in Devon.

Introduction

Ella Sophia (Bulley) Armitage (1841–1931) was truly a renaissance woman. She was a medieval archaeologist, a historian, an educator, a hymn writer, a master of many languages, an accomplished pianist, and a wife...