Education
Born in Cape Town, van der Poel studied at the University of Cape Town (UCT), completing her doctorate at the London School of Economics.
Born in Cape Town, van der Poel studied at the University of Cape Town (UCT), completing her doctorate at the London School of Economics.
In 1929 Van der Poel returned to South Africa and declined a position at UCT as lecturer for a post as history teacher. She played a very important role in the South African Teacher’s Association, but in 1938 decided to move to UCT. She became a senior lecturer in 1954 and was offered the King George V chair of history in the 1960s, which she declined. She retired in 1969.