Annie Rogers

Annie Rogers
c. 8 years old - photo by Lewis Carrol
Born	15 February 1856 Oxford, Oxfordshire, England
Died	28 October 1937(1937-10-28) (aged 81) Oxford, Oxfordshire, England
Nationality	British
Education	Home tutored
Occupation	University don and teacher
Parent(s)	Anna and Thorold Rogers

Annie Rogers (15 February 1856 – 28 October 1937) was a British promoter of women's education. She had been a child model for Lewis Carroll and had an offer of a university place withdrawn when it was realised that she was female. She proved that she was capable of achieving first class Oxford University degrees but her achievement was not formally recognised with a formal degree until 1920. Her work as a home tutor for women students led to her being recognised as a founder of St Anne's College in Oxford. She also wrote a history of women taking degrees.

Rogers was born in Oxford to James Edwin Thorold and Anna (born Peskett) Rogers. Her father was a campaigner for women's rights. She was the eldest of six children and the only girl. She had been a child model for Lewis Carroll in 1863. Carroll took pictures of her in costumes and wrote a poem which her sent with the photograph. The poem read

A picture, which I hope will
B one that you will like to
C. If your Mamma should
D sire one like it, I could
E sily get her one.

Rogers had an offer of a university place withdrawn when it was realised that she was female. She had come top in Oxford's examinations in 1873 and she was automatically qualified for a place at Balliol or Worcester College. As a consolation prize she was given six volumes of Homer and her place was given to the boy who had come sixth in the tests.

Rogers was able to sit degree-level exams in 1877 and 1879 giving her the equivalent of first class degrees in Latin and Greek and in Ancient History respectively. She was not formally awarded the Oxford degree until 1920 when the university lifted its ban on female students. In 1879 Oxford University opened its first halls for women students and Rogers, as the only woman with the equivalent of an Oxford University degree became a don (lecturer). She joined, and became secretary of, the Association for Promoting the Higher Education of Women in Oxford.