Blanche Athena Clough

Blanche Athena Clough
by A. J. Pertz (detail of painting at Newnham)
Born	1861
Died	1960
Alma mater	Newnham College
Known for	Principal of Newnham College
Parent(s)	Arthur Hugh Clough and Blanche Mary Shore Smith

Blanche Athena Clough was a British classicist who was the Principal of Newnham College (1920-1923). She was the secretary to her aunt, Anne Clough, Principal of Newnham College, and remained at the College as an administrator after her aunt's death in 1892. Clough wrote a memoir of her aunt, which was published in 1903. She was particularly involved in assisting Katharine Stephen in work towards the Royal Charter and Statutes granted in 1917 whereby Newnham College became the first women’s College to be a self-governing academic community.

Clough came up to Newnham College in 1884 to read Classics. She remained as secretary to her aunt, Anne Clough and then as an administrator in the college. Clough turned down the opportunity to become Principal in 1911 but finally took the role in 1920. During her time as Principal (1920-1923), Clough fought to have women admitted to full membership of Cambridge University. The principle that women's admittance be linked to government funding was refused in 1921.After Clough's retirement in 1923 she devoted her time to gardening, bird-watching, and volunteering for the London and National Society for Women’s Service which became the Fawcett Society in 1953. A.J. Pertz painted Clough while Principal of Newnham College and the portrait hangs in the college today.Ray Strachey painted two portraits of Clough between 1925-1931 which are now in the National Portrait Gallery.

In 1918 Clough was the sole female member of the Royal Commission considering the finances of Oxford and Cambridge.

Clough was the youngest child of Arthur Hugh Clough and Blanche Mary Shore Smith.