Ruqayyah Snyder
Jane Foss Barff (1863/1864-1937) was an Australian educator and activist for women's rights to education. She was the second woman to attain a Master of Arts from the University of Sydney, where she was also a tutor to female students, the only female member of the teaching staff at the time. Barff was a founding member of the Sydney University Women's Society and co-founder of the Sydney University Women's Association, where she was named president. She was also involved in early fundraising for the university's Women's College and served on its council until 1937. Barff's advocacy for women's education and her involvement in women's organisations at the University of Sydney played a significant role in advancing gender equality in Australia.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 24 October 1863/1864 |
| Birthplace | Sydney, Australia |
| Father's Name | Henry Chamberlain Russell |
| Mother's Name | Emily Jane/Emily Foss |
| Academic Career | Long-lasting, passed examinations with honours and prizes for best female student |
| University | University of Sydney, second woman to attain a Master of Arts |
| Teaching Career | Tutor to female students at the University of Sydney, resigned to marry |
| Organisations | Founding member of the Sydney University Women's Society, co-founding member of the Sydney University Women's Association, member of the Women's College |
| Religious Views | Advocate for religious education for young people |
| Death | 10 June 1937, Rose Bay, Australia |
| Memorial | Prize named in her honour at the Women's College |
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What You'll Learn
- Jane Foss Barff was the second woman to attain a Master of Arts from the University of Sydney
- She was a founding member of the Sydney University Women's Society
- She was a teacher and activist for women's rights to education
- She was a council member of the Mothers' Union and St Catherine's Church of England School for Girls
- She donated a silver tea and coffee service to the University of Sydney in her will
Jane Foss Barff was the second woman to attain a Master of Arts from the University of Sydney
Jane Foss Barff (née Russell) was born on 24 October 1863 or 1864 in Sydney, Australia. Her father, Henry Chamberlain Russell, was a government astronomer and meteorologist, and she spent much of her youth in the Sydney Observatory.
Barff had a long academic career, passing the Junior Public Examination in 1878 and receiving the Fairfax prize for the best female student. Three years later, she sat for the Senior Public Examination in eight subjects, passing with first-class honours and again sharing the prize for the best female pupil. In 1883, she became part of the second group of women to enrol at the University of Sydney. Despite women being barred from certain courses, such as medicine, Barff excelled in her studies. In 1886, she obtained first-class honours in chemistry, experimental physics, and classics, and second-class honours in mathematics.
In 1889, Barff became the second woman to attain a Master of Arts from the University of Sydney, also receiving a degree in Moral Philosophy that year. This achievement is commemorated by the Jane Foss Russell Building at the University, which was renamed in her honour in 2008. After completing her tertiary education, Barff travelled to England, visiting colleges and gaining insight into their women's organisations.
Upon her return to Sydney in 1887, Barff began a teaching career, instructing mathematics at the Ascham School for Girls and later at Kambala. She also tutored students privately for Public Examinations and university examinations. In 1892, she was appointed the second tutor to female students at the University of Sydney, the only female member of the teaching staff. She held this position until 1899 when she resigned to marry Henry Ebenezer Barff, the University registrar and warden.
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She was a founding member of the Sydney University Women's Society
Jane Foss Barff was an educationist born in Sydney, Australia, on 24 October 1863 or 1864. She was the daughter of Henry Chamberlain Russell, a government astronomer and meteorologist, and spent much of her youth in the Sydney Observatory. She had a long academic career, passing the Junior Public Examination in 1878 and receiving the Fairfax prize for the best female student. In 1881, she passed the Senior Public Examination in eight subjects with first-class honours, again sharing the prize for the best female pupil.
In 1883, Jane Foss Barff matriculated and joined the second group of women to enrol at the University of Sydney. She was the second woman to attain a Master of Arts from the University of Sydney. She was also a founding member of the Women's College. After completing her degree, she pursued a career in teaching and was appointed the second tutor to female students at the University of Sydney in 1892, the only female member of the teaching staff at the time.
Jane Foss Barff was also actively involved in the women's organisations at the University of Sydney. Notably, she was a founding member of the Sydney University Women's Society in 1891. The society's members worked at the Newington Asylum for aged women, the Woolloomooloo Girls' Club, and the Harrington Street night school for girls. Jane Foss Barff supervised classes at the night school from 1891 to 1896. She also co-founded the Sydney University Women's Association in 1892 with Louisa Macdonald and served as its president.
In addition to her contributions to the University of Sydney, Jane Foss Barff advocated for religious education for young people and was a council member of the Mothers' Union and the St Catherine's Church of England School for Girls. After her passing in 1937, a memorial prize was named in her honour, and a building at the University of Sydney was dedicated to her, commemorating her achievement as the second woman to earn a Master of Arts at the university.
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She was a teacher and activist for women's rights to education
Jane Foss Barff was an educator and activist for women's rights to education. She was born in 1863 or 1864 in Sydney, Australia, and spent much of her youth in the Sydney Observatory, where her father worked as a government astronomer and meteorologist.
Barff had a long academic career, beginning with her school years, where she excelled academically, passing the Junior Public Examination and receiving the Fairfax prize for the best female student in 1878. Three years later, she sat for the Senior Public Examination in eight subjects, passing with first-class honours and again sharing the prize for the best female pupil.
In 1883, Barff became one of the first women to enrol at the University of Sydney, where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts in 1886 and a Master of Arts in 1889, becoming the second woman to attain a Master of Arts from the university. During her time at the university, she was involved in early fundraising for the Women's College and was a founding member of the Sydney University Women's Society in 1891, which worked to support aged women and girls in the community.
After completing her degree, Barff became a teacher, and in 1892, she was appointed the second tutor to female students at the University of Sydney, the only female member of the teaching staff. She earned an annual salary of £250 and was known for her high ideals and strong principles. She enjoyed a good relationship with students and staff but did not hesitate to reprimand students for what she saw as unseemly behaviour. In addition to her teaching duties, Barff continued her involvement in the women's organisations of the University of Sydney, co-founding the Sydney University Women's Association in 1892 and serving as its president. She also served on the council of the Women's College from 1891 until her death in 1937.
Barff's advocacy for women's education extended beyond the university, as she was also a strong advocate for religious education for young people and served as a council member of the St Catherine's Church of England School for Girls. She made a gift in her will to the University of Sydney, demonstrating her enduring connection to the institution.
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She was a council member of the Mothers' Union and St Catherine's Church of England School for Girls
Jane Foss Barff was a council member of the Mothers' Union and St Catherine's Church of England School for Girls. St Catherine's School is Australia's oldest Anglican girls' school, located in Sydney, Australia. The school offers a broad curriculum, extensive co-curricular programs, and world-class facilities, including unrivalled STEM, sporting, music, and performing arts facilities. Boarding at St Catherine's provides a strong sense of community while allowing girls to develop independence.
As a council member, Jane Foss Barff likely played a role in shaping the direction and values of the school. She was a strong advocate for religious education for young people, which aligns with the Anglican ethos of the school.
The Mothers' Union, also known as Mothers' Union Australia, is a mission agency of the Anglican Church of Australia. It is part of the worldwide Mothers' Union with links to 84 countries and over four million members. The organisation's vision is to bring about a world where God's love is shown through prayer and loving, respectful, and flourishing relationships. Members of the Mothers' Union in Australia are actively involved in various projects, including fighting against female genital mutilation and other forms of violence against women in their communities.
Jane Foss Barff's involvement in the Mothers' Union and St Catherine's Church of England School for Girls reflects her commitment to education and her advocacy for religious values in the community. Through her role as a council member, she likely contributed to the development and impact of these organisations, leaving a lasting legacy in Australia.
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She donated a silver tea and coffee service to the University of Sydney in her will
Jane Foss Barff was an educationist and advocate for women's education at the University of Sydney. She was the second woman to attain a Master of Arts from the University of Sydney and was a founding member of the Women's College. In her will, she donated a silver tea and coffee service to the University of Sydney, which had been presented to her husband, Henry Ebenezer Barff, to commemorate his 25 years of service at the university.
Jane Foss Barff's donation of the silver tea and coffee service to the University of Sydney is a reflection of her strong connection to the university and her commitment to education, particularly for women. The service had been presented to her husband, Henry Ebenezer Barff, who was the university registrar and warden, in recognition of his long-standing dedication to the institution.
In her will, Jane Foss Barff expressed her hope that "the service may be used by the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor when entertaining distinguished visitors to the University". This wish underscores her understanding of the importance of hospitality and the role it can play in fostering meaningful connections and collaborations within the academic community.
The silver tea and coffee service is a symbol of Jane Foss Barff's legacy at the University of Sydney. It serves as a reminder of her academic achievements, her advocacy for women's education, and her contribution to the university's history. The service is a tangible representation of her belief in the value of education and her support for the university's growth and development.
Jane Foss Barff's donation of the silver tea and coffee service is a lasting testament to her impact on the University of Sydney. It continues to be a reminder of her dedication to academic excellence and her commitment to creating a more inclusive and equitable education system for women in Australia. Her contribution to the university and her advocacy for women's education have left a lasting mark on the institution and continue to inspire future generations of students and educators.
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Frequently asked questions
Jane Foss Barff was born in 1863 or 1864 in Sydney, Australia, and began her academic career at a young age. In 1878, she passed the Junior Public Examination and received the Fairfax prize for the best female student. Three years later, she sat for the Senior Public Examination in eight subjects and passed with first-class honours, again sharing the prize for the best female pupil.
After completing secondary college, Barff could not immediately attend university because women were not yet accepted. However, in 1881, when the University of Sydney opened its doors to women, she applied and became one of the first women to enrol. She obtained first-class honours in chemistry, experimental physics, and classics, and second-class honours in mathematics.
Barff was an educator and activist for women's rights to education. She was a founding member of the Sydney University Women's Society in 1891 and worked at the Harrington Street night school for girls, where she also supervised classes from 1891 to 1896. In 1892, she was appointed the second tutor to female students at the University of Sydney, becoming the only female member of the teaching staff. She was also a founding member of the Sydney University Women's Association and was elected to the first council of the Women's College, serving until her death in 1937.
