Kelsey, Lavinia Jane (1856–1948)

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Kelsey, Lavinia Jane (1856–1948)

New Zealand kindergarten founder and teacher. Born Feb 23, 1856, in South Hackney, London, England; died June 16, 1948, in Dunedin, New Zealand; dau. of Thomas Kelsey (braid manufacturer) and Lavinia (Owen) Kelsey.

Immigrated with brothers to New Zealand (c. 1877); established private school in her home (early 1800s); traveled to England, where she learned of kindergarten work by Friedrich Froebel (1883); returned to New Zealand and implemented idea in own school and helped to establish Dunedin Free Kindergarten Association (1889); retired from teaching (c. 1916).

See also Dictionary of New Zealand Biography (Vol. 3).

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