Ellen Ida Benham

History

Ellen was born at "Talarno", Kapunda to solicitor W. H. Benham, who arrived in South Australia aboard The Gipsy in August 1853, and his second wife Amie Benham née Higgins. Her father was an extraordinary man: working as a shearer for three years and driving bullocks before settling down as a lawyer's clerk and studying law.

Ellen was educated privately, then at the Advanced School for Girls before taking the science course at the Adelaide University, graduating BSc with honours in 1892. She taught science at the Kapunda Church of England school for a short time before taking a study tour of England and Europe. She took an assistant position at Dryborough School, then taught at Tormore House School for a little over twelve years. During this time she travelled to England, where she earned her Diploma of Education at Oxford University. After the death of Professor Tate she taught botany at Adelaide University and was appointed lecturer pro tem while awaiting the arrival of Professor Osborn Thus she was, under similar circumstances to Ada Mary Lambert at Melbourne University, the first woman appointed to an academic post at the university.

In December 1912 she purchased Walford School, Fisher Street, Malvern, from Lydia Adamson, its founder in 1893. She reformed its teaching methods and course content, notably introducing science to the curriculum. In 1917 she sold the school to Mabel Jewell Baker, who then led the school for almost 40 years.

Recognition

In 1922 the Ellen Benham Scholarship was established at Walford in recognition of her contribution to the development of the school. The Benham Wing, which incorporated science classrooms, in what became the Walford Church of England Girls' Grammar School, was also named for her.

She was a co-founder and longtime supporter of Adelaide University's Women's Students' Society, and its president for several years.