Lillian Penson

Background

She was born in Islington, London, the eldest daughter of a wholesale dairy manager.

Education

She was educated privately and then first attended Birkbeck College and then University College, London where she graduated Bachelor in 1917 with a first and in 1921 one of the earliest Doctors of Philosophy.

Career

Her accession to this office was put into perspective by a writer who said: "lieutenant was not the fact that she was the first woman to become chancellor of a University in the Commonwealth which attracted attention, but rather her vigorous, purposeful, and clear-headed approach to the many problems which the University of London faced." In addition to her contribution to the University of London, Dame Lillian made an outstanding contribution to the development of higher education in the then colonial territories and she maintained a close interest in those university colleges overseas which, with her wholehearted support, had entered into special relationships with the University of London. Honours flowed to her after she became Vice-Chancellor - honorary degrees from many universities including Cambridge and Oxford, a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire, and even an honorary fellowship from the Royal College of Surgeons. Lillian Penson served as professor of Modern History at Bedford College, University of London from 1930 to 1962, before becoming Professor Emeritus.

As an appreciation to her efforts and as a commemoration, the University of London named one of its Intercollegiate halls after her, the Lillian Penson Hall.

Achievements

• Honorary Doctor of Laws, University of Cambridge Honorary Doctor of Laws, University of Leeds Honorary Doctor of Laws, McGill University Honorary Doctor of Laws, University of Street Andrews Honorary Doctor of Laws, University of Southampton Honorary D.C.L., University of Oxford Honorary D.L., University of Sheffield Honorary D.L., University of Ontario Honorary D.L., Queen"s University of Belfast Honorary Fellow, Royal College of Surgeons.

Membership

A full professor at the age of 34, Lillian Penson served as a member of the University of London senate for 20 years. She was a member of the University Court, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Chairman of the Academic Council before being elected in 1948 as Vice-Chancellor of the University. She was a member of the council of University college of Rhodesia and Nyaasland since 1955, and held positions at Birkbeck College and Queen Mary College.