Dalrymple, Learmonth White (1827–1906)

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Dalrymple, Learmonth White (1827–1906)

New Zealand feminist and educational reformer . Born in Port Chalmers, New Zealand, in 1827; died in 1906.

Learmonth Dalrymple began her career as a teacher, during which time she was in touch with Dorothea Beale and Frances Mary Buss , British innovators in girls' education. Following their lead, Dalrymple crusaded for secondary education for females in her own country. Through her efforts, the Otago Girls' High School was opened in 1871 and served as a model for 70 later schools. During early discussions about founding a University of New Zealand, Dalrymple successfully petitioned for the admission of women. (The first woman graduate of the university was Kate Edger , who earned a degree in mathematics in 1877.) By 1890, close to half the students in New Zealand universities were women. Dalrymple was also an advocate for preschool and primary education. Her book The Kindergarten (1879) dealt with the ideas of Friedrich Wilhelm Froebel, who founded the kindergarten system. Dalrymple was active in the temperance and suffrage movements as well.

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