Matilda Ellen Bishop

Matilda Ellen Bishop (12 April 1842 in Tichborne, Hampshire – 1 July 1913 in Camberwell, London) was the first Principal of Royal Holloway College, University of London and was responsible for establishing many of the early traditions at the institution.

[1] Bishop was educated at a seminary for young ladies in Brighton, where she had to learn passages of the Bible by heart.

At sixteen (c.1858) she was sent to Queens College, Harley Street, London, and was deeply influenced by Revd F. D.

In 1897, she resigned when the governors wanted to introduce nonconformist services in the college chapel on alternate Sundays.

[3] In 1899, she became Principal of the newly founded St Gabriel's Church of England Training College for Women Teachers in Camberwell, and died in office in 1913.