Ellen Ida Benham

Ellen Ida Benham (12 March 1871 – 27 April 1917) was a science teacher, headmistress and education pioneer in South Australia.

Her father worked as a shearer for three years and drove bullocks before settling down as a lawyer's clerk and studying law.

[1] Ellen was educated privately, then at the Advanced School for Girls before taking the science course at the University of Adelaide, graduating BSc with honours in 1892.

[3] She taught science at the Christ Church Anglican school in Kapunda for a short time before taking a study tour of England and Europe.

[5] The Benham Wing, which incorporated science classrooms, in what became the Walford Church of England Girls' Grammar School, was also named for her.