Grace Annie Lockhart
Grace Annie Lockhart | |
|---|---|
 Lockhart in 1875 | |
| Born | 22 February 1855 |
| Died | 18 May 1916 (aged 61) Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada |
Resting place | Tryon People’s Cemetery |
| Other name | Grace Annie Dawson |
| Education |
|
| Occupations | |
| Known for | First women in Canada and the British Empire to earn a BS |
| Spouse |
John Leard Dawson (m. 1881) |
| Children | 3 |
Grace Annie Lockhart (married name Dawson; 22 February 1855 – 18 May 1916) was a Canadian teacher and women’s rights advocate, known for being the first women in Canada and the British Empire to earn a Bachelor of Science.[1][2]
Early life and education
Lockhart was born on 22 February 1855 in Saint John, Newfoundland Colony (present-day, Newfoundland, Canada) to Edward Elias Lockhart (1819–1897) and Susan Lockhart (née Whittekir; c. 1824–1855).[2][3] The youngest of four sisters in an upper middle-class family, Lockhart's mother died 9 months after she was born.[2][3][4] Lockhart was subsequently raised by families' housekeeper Rosanna Wilson (died 1863), who became her surrogate mother, and by her older sisters.[2][3]
In 1866, Lockhart's eldest sister enrolled at Mount Allison Ladies’ College, with her other sisters later enrolling in 1868.[2][3] None of her sisters completed their studies, despite the family having the money to allow them to do so.[2][3] In 1871, Lockhart enrolled at Mount Allison Ladies’ College and in 1874 obtained her Mistress of Liberal Arts (MLA), the equivalent of two years of university study.[1][2][3] In 1872, Lockhart enrolled at Mount Allison College and earned her Bachelor of Science in 1875, making her the first women in Canada and the British Empire to do so.[1][2][3] Until like her male counterparts, Lockhart has not allowed to wear academic dress during graduation.[1][2]
Career
In 1878, began teaching English and history at Mount Allison College.[1] Lockhart later taught at public schools in New Brunswick until her marriage.[1] In 1881, Lockhart married John Leard Dawson, a Methodist minister and fellow classmate at Mount Allison College.[1][3] The Methodist circuit system meant that the couple moved to a new congregation every three years.[1][2]
Lockhart was a member of the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union, supported access to higher education for women and supported women's suffrage.[1][2] In 1991, Lockhart was named a National Historic Person.[1]
Personal life
Lockhart and Dawson had three children.[1][3]
On 18 May 1916 Lockhart died in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, aged 61.[2] Lockhart was buried at Tryon People’s Cemetery in Tryon, Prince Edward Island.[2]
See also
- Harriet Starr Stewart, the first woman in Canada and the British Empire to earn a Bachelor of Arts.[1][5]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Gwiazda, Emily (22 September 2025). "Grace Annie Lockhart". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved 18 May 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Belliveau, Renée. "Allisonian Firsts: Grace Annie Lockhart". Mount Allison University Libraries. Sackville, New Brunswick: Mount Allison University. Archived from the original on 21 August 2025. Retrieved 19 May 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Mawhinney, David. "Grace Annie Lockhart – a Mount Allison and Canadian heroine". MTA. Sackville, New Brunswick: Mount Allison University. Retrieved 19 May 2026.
- ↑ Mesbah, Mariam (8 March 2025). "Mount A celebrates 150 years since N.B. woman first to graduate in Canada — and beyond". CBC News. Retrieved 9 March 2025.
- ↑ Belliveau, Renée. "Allisonian Firsts: Harriet Starr Stewart". Mount Allison University Libraries. Sackville, New Brunswick: Mount Allison University. Archived from the original on 18 February 2026. Retrieved 18 May 2026.