| Ref No (click to see in context) | CS |
| Title | CAROLINE ANNE JAMES SKEEL AND FAMILY |
| Level | Fonds |
| Date | 1785-1964 |
| Extent | 16 standard boxes, 2 outsize boxes, 2 outsize items in plan chest, 1 item in original box |
| Creator Name | Skeel, Caroline Anne James (1872-1951) |
| Description | The collection contains the papers of Caroline Skeel,1850-1964, comprising of papers relating to her time at Westfield College; including working papers 1850-c.1926; photographs 1905-mid 20th Century; letters 1908-1950; donations 1930-1943; presentations from the College 1925-1929; and papers relating to her Professorship 1925.
Also comprises of personal papers; including papers relating to her school 1880-1925; Girton College 1890-1927; London School of Economics 1904-1914; Certificates and Testimonies c.1913; the time that she lived in Hendon c.1935; her family 1925-1943; her legacy 1933-1954; biographical papers 1949-1954; financial papers 1899-1916; involvement with societies 1928-1930; letters 1904-1949; and personal items and memorabilia 1878- c.1890.
The collection also contains family papers 1785-1928; including those of the Skeel family 1820-1923; Smith family 1809-1889; and James family 1794-1869; mainly comprising of educational papers, working papers, and legal documents such as wills, as well as papers relating to family properties 1785-1928; and some family photographs c.1876; and items of unknown context, 18th Century - late 19th Century. |
| Admin History | SKEEL , CAROLINE ANNE JAMES ( 1872 - 1951 ) was born on the 9 Feb. 1872 in Hampstead , where her family resided at 45 Downshire Hill. She was the sixth of the seven children; one son and six daughters (two died in infancy) of William James Skeel (1822 - 1899) and Anne James, his wife (1831 - 1895). Her father, the son of Henry Skeel (d. 1847 ), a farmer, was born at Castle Hill in the parish of Haycastle, Pembrokeshire, and became a successful London merchant with offices in Finsbury Chambers in the city and a director of the South Australian Land Mortgage and Agency Co. Ltd . Her mother was a first cousin of her husband; the daughter of Thomas and Martha James of Clarbeston, Pembrokeshire.
Initially educated at home, from the age of eight Caroline attended a private school; the South Hampstead High School (c.1884-87). She then attended Notting Hill High School (1887-90). Following this she entered Girton College, Cambridge (1891-95). She was a St. Dunstan's Exhibitioner and took a double first in classics in 1894. She then took a first in the historical tripos, in 1895. She was awarded the Agnata Butler Prize in 1893 and 1894, and the Thérèsa Montefiore Memorial Prize in 1895.
Skeel joined Westfield in 1896 as a visiting lecturer in classics, but was soon also placed in charge of the history department and drew on both disciplines in her first original work, Travel in the First Century after Christ (Cambridge,1901), which won Girton's Gibson prize in 1898. But it was history that prevailed, as shown by her enrolment in 1901 as a postgraduate student at the London School of Economics to work on the dissertation, The Council in the Marches of Wales: a study in local government in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries (London, 1904), which in 1904 earned her the Hutchinson medal and in 1903 the London D.Litt. At Westfield she combined a heavy teaching programme with responsibility from 1902 for the college library, attracting gifts in kind from learned societies and others which substantially improved its stock; in her role as a recognized teacher of London University, she served from 1902 to 1906 as secretary to the board of studies in history.
She wrote a number of articles and reviews in English Historical Review, Archaeologia Cambrensis, Transactions of the Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion, Transactions of the Royal Historical Society , Shropshire Archaeological and Natural History Society, History , and Cambridge Historical Journal, most of which deal with the history of Wales and the Marches . She contributed a chapter on Wales under Henry VII to Tudor Studies, ed. R.W. Seton-Watson (1924), and to T. Auden, Memorials of Old Shropshire (1908). She gained the Gamble Prize in 1914 for an essay on the influence of the writings of Sir John Fortesque. She was also one of the editors of the S.P.C.K. texts for students and arranged the Selections from Giraldus Cambrensis and the Selections from Matthew Paris, Nos. 2-3 in that series (London 1918).
The onset in 1907 of severe and lasting depression removed Skeel, though only temporarily, from the academic scene, to which she eventually returned on her reappointment to Westfield in 1911.
Promoted in 1919 to a university readership, Skeel was able to contribute in various ways to the success of a new venture close to her heart, the Institute of Historical Research. She was a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society 1914-28, serving on the Council and the Publications Committee 1921-27, and a member of the Cymmrodorion Society, the Classical Association and the Historical Association. In 1925, she was advanced to a professorship, the first to be held at Westfield.
But within a year symptoms of depression reappeared and in 1929 she took early retirement. She lived until her death at 24 Hayes Crescent, Golders Green, following a stroke on 25 February 1951. She had inherited the large fortunes left by her father and brother William Henry Skeel (d. 1925, leaving over £305,000), the total of which amounted at her death to some £270,000 (gross). She bequeathed large sums to Church charities but she bequeathed the bulk of it to Westfield, already the beneficiary of gifts made anonymously during her lifetime. After her death it was revealed that she had anonymously given away in her lifetime about £30,000 to poor families and charities. |
| Arrangement | This collection has been arranged by provenance and divided into two sub-fonds; Caroline Skeel, and Family Papers. |
| Copyright Statement | No material may be published without the prior permission of both the copyright holder and the Library. All applications for publication
must be made to the College Archivist in the first instance, but responsibility for ensuring copyright clearance rests with the user. |
| Access Status | Open |
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| Code | Person or Corporate Body Name |
| DS/UK/247 | Lodge; Eleanor Constance (1869-1936); Principal, Historian |
| DS/UK/34 | Maynard; Constance Louisa (1849-1935); Mistress, Educational pioneer |
| DS/UK/64 | University of London; 1836-; Higher Education Institution |
| DS/UK/57 | Firth; Catherine B (fl. 1905); Doctor of History; Historian |
| DS/UK/55 | University of Cambridge; Girton College; 1873-; Higher Education Institution |
| DS/UK/205 | Welsh; Elizabeth (1843-1921); Mistress of Girton College 1885–1903. |
| DS/UK/242 | Sélincourt; Agnes de (1872-1917); Principal, Missionary |
| DS/UK/30 | Westfield College; 1882-1989; Higher Education Institution |
| DS/UK/284 | Moilliet; Louisa Gabrielle (fl.1879-1922); Niece of Constance Maynard; daughter of Dora and Francis Moilliet. |
| DS/UK/312 | Moilliet; Francis Keir (fl.1885-1954); Nephew of Constance Maynard. |
| DS/UK/200 | Church Missionary Society (CMS); 1799-; Voluntary charity. |
| DS/UK/367 | Martin; Eveline Christiana (1894-1960); Dr.; Historian |
| DS/UK/368 | Titterton; Anna Frances (1898-1988); Author. |
| DS/UK/369 | Walpole; Kathleen A (c.1899-1987); Headteacher. |
| DS/UK/370 | Bourdillan; C (fl.1929) |
| DS/UK/371 | University of London; Bedford College; 1849-1985; Higher Education Institution |
| DS/UK/375 | The Times; 1785-; National newspaper. |
| DS/UK/376 | Postan; Eileen Edna LePoer (1889-1940); Professor.; Academic. |
| DS/UK/377 | Smuts; Jan Christiaan (1870-1950); General; South African and British Commonwealth statesman. |
| DS/UK/378 | Gedge; Evelyn Colpoys (1888-1974); Secretary to Westfield College Council |
| DS/UK/379 | Priestman; (Olga) Barbara (c.1905-1975); Headteacher. |
| DS/UK/380 | Davis; Beryl M; History Student at Westfield College, 1900-1905. |
| DS/UK/381 | Mace; Frances A (c.1887-fl.1925); Teacher |
| DS/UK/382 | Shetton; Grace (fl.1917) |
| DS/UK/383 | Bigland; Percy (c.1858-1926); Portrait, genre and landscape painter. |
| DS/UK/384 | de Biden Footner; Frances Amicia (1874-1961); Artist. |
| DS/UK/385 | J.J. Patrickson & Sons Ltd; 1959-1975; Picture Framemakers. |
| DS/UK/386 | South Hampstead High School; 1876-; School |
| DS/UK/387 | Notting Hill and Ealing School; 1873-; School. |
| DS/UK/388 | Girls' Day School Trust; 1872-; School Trust. |
| DS/UK/389 | Butler; Agnata Frances (1867-1931) |
| DS/UK/390 | Hinton; Dora Louisa (1872-1930); Headmistress. |
| DS/UK/391 | University of London; London School of Economics and Political Science; 1895-; Higher Education Institution |
| DS/UK/392 | H B Supperstone & Co.; c.1950-1982; Solicitors. |
| DS/UK/393 | Skeel; William Henry (1850-1925); Brother of Caroline Skeel. |
| DS/UK/395 | Stretton; Grace (c.1893-fl.1951); Research Assistant, Historical Section, Cabinet Office . |
| DS/UK/396 | Davies; J (fl.1951); Cousin of Caroline Skeel. |
| DS/UK/397 | Church Army; 1882-; Evangelistic Organisation. |
| DS/UK/398 | Westminster Bank; 1834-1970; Bank |
| DS/UK/401 | Huxted; Sarah (fl.1951-1964); Maid of Caroline Skeel. |
| DS/UK/403 | Williams; David (1900-1978); Lecturer |
| DS/UK/405 | Bank of England; 1649-; Bank |
| DS/UK/406 | Corporation of the Sons of the Clergy; 1655-; Charity. |
| DS/UK/407 | Skeel; Emily Jane (1853-1926); Sister of Caroline Skeel. Teacher. |
| DS/UK/410 | Goulden, Mesquita and Co.; fl.1928-1933; Solicitors |
| DS/UK/409 | Kimber Bull and Co. Solicitors; c.1911-1970 |
| DS/UK/411 | Wilkins; Mary; Maid of Caroline Skeel |
| DS/UK/413 | Mill Hill Historical Society; 1929-; Local Historical Society |
| DS/UK/414 | Royal Society of Teachers; 1929-1949; Society of Teachers |
| DS/UK/412 | Hall; Hubert (1857-1944); Reader. |
| DS/UK/415 | Skeel; Elizabeth (fl.1843-1863); Née James.; Grandmother of Caroline Skeel. |
| DS/UK/416 | Heales and Son; fl.1856-1870; Proctors, Doctors Commons. |
| DS/UK/417 | Skeel; Henry (fl.1820-c.1845); Grandfather of Caroline Skeel. |
| DS/UK/418 | Skeel; Thomas (c.1816-1890); Uncle of Caroline Skeel. Apothecary. |
| DS/UK/419 | Hayward and Son; fl.1888; Builders. |
| DS/UK/420 | Perkins; Amy (c.1812-c.1890); Née Skeel. Aunt of Caroline Skeel. |
| DS/UK/421 | Skeel; David (1806-1868); Uncle of Caroline Skeel. Apothecary. |
| DS/UK/422 | Moore; Thomas (fl. 1819-1846); Apothecary. |
| DS/UK/423 | Worshipful Society of Apothecaries of London; 1617- |
| DS/UK/425 | Davies; Jane (fl. 1848-1850); Née James. Great Aunt of Caroline Skeel. |
| DS/UK/427 | Skeel; Jane (1814-1883); Aunt of Caroline Skeel. |
| DS/UK/428 | HM Revenue and Customs; 2005-; Non-ministerial department of the British Government. |
| DS/UK/429 | Skeel; Elizabeth (1810-1892); Aunt of Caroline Skeel. |
| DS/UK/430 | Skeel; William James (1822-1899); Father of Caroline Skeel. Export Merchant |
| DS/UK/431 | Wilson (fl.1834-1835) |
| DS/UK/432 | Steward (fl.1834-1835) |
| DS/UK/433 | Muter; Robert (fl.1844-1846) |
| DS/UK/434 | James; John (fl.1840s); Uncle of Caroline Skeel. |
| DS/UK/435 | James; William (1779-1848); Great Uncle of Caroline Skeel. Apothecary. |
| DS/UK/436 | Skeel; Anne (1831-1895); Née James. Mother of Caroline Skeel. |
| DS/UK/437 | The College of Teachers; 1846-; Examining body and learned society. |
| DS/UK/439 | Redfern; J (fl.1866-1870); Teacher at Abercrombie Villa Collegiate school, Hampstead. |
| DS/UK/438 | Abercrombie Villa Collegiate School, Hampstead; fl.1866-1870; School. |
| DS/UK/440 | Skeel; Maria Elizabeth (1855-1933); Sister of Caroline Skeel. Headteacher |
| DS/UK/442 | University of Oxford; 11th century-; Higher Education Institution |
| DS/UK/254 | University of Cambridge; 1209-; Higher Education Institution |
| DS/UK/203 | University of St Andrews; 1413-; Higher Education Institution |
| DS/UK/443 | Nottingham Journal; fl.1768-1921; Newspaper. |
| DS/UK/444 | Nottingham Daily Express; 1860-1918; Newspaper. |
| DS/UK/445 | Nottingham High School for Girls; 1875-; School |
| DS/UK/447 | Skeel; Amy (c.1875-1877); Sister of Caroline Skeel. |
| DS/UK/448 | James; John (c.1744-1832); Great Grandfather of Caroline Skeel. |
| DS/UK/449 | James; George (-1821) |
| DS/UK/450 | St Bartholomew's Hospital; 1123-; Hospital |
| DS/UK/451 | Freese; Phillip C (fl.1837); Employed William James and William J Skeel. |
| DS/UK/452 | Skeel; Sarah (1819-); Aunt of Caroline Skeel. |
| DS/UK/453 | Cobb; Mary (fl.1765-1821) |
| DS/UK/454 | James; David (1777-fl.1819); Great Uncle of Caroline Skeel. |
| DS/UK/455 | James; Mary (fl.1819); Great Grandmother of Caroline Skeel. |
| DS/UK/457 | James; Maria (1845-c.1897); Aunt of Caroline Skeel. |
| DS/UK/458 | Smith; George Edward (fl.1829-1889.) |
| DS/UK/459 | Allegati; Charles (fl.1829-1870) |
| DS/UK/460 | Lay; G (fl.1829-1870) |
| DS/UK/461 | Smith; Sarah (fl.1829-1870); Wife of George Edward Smith. |
| DS/UK/462 | Smith; Maria (fl.1815); Wife of John Smith. |
| DS/UK/463 | Smith; Thomas (-c.1809) |
| DS/UK/464 | Smith; John (-c.1805); Husband of Maria Smith. |
| DS/UK/465 | Smith; Roger (fl.1809) |
| DS/UK/466 | Smith; David (fl. 1809) |
| DS/UK/467 | Smith; John (fl.1809) |
| DS/UK/468 | Humphreys; Patience (fl.1809); Née Smith. |
| DS/UK/469 | Humphreys; William (fl.1809); Husband of Patience Humphreys, née Smith. |
| DS/UK/470 | Warren; William (fl.1809) |
| DS/UK/471 | Husband; Thomas (fl.1809) |
| DS/UK/121 | Skeel; Caroline (1872-1951); Historian, Classicist |
| DS/UK/472 | Gumley; Martha (fl.1785-1788) |
| DS/UK/473 | Howard; Charles (1720-1786); Duke of Norfolk, Earl of Norfolk, Earl of Surrey, Earl of Arundel, Baron Maltravers, Earl Marshal. |
| DS/UK/474 | Eyre; Vincent (fl.1785-1788) |
| DS/UK/475 | Wright; Francis (fl.1785-1788) |
| DS/UK/477 | Manners; Lady; Mary (fl.1788) |
| DS/UK/478 | Moore; Adam (fl.1788) |
| DS/UK/480 | Thomas; Charles (fl.1788) |
| DS/UK/479 | Moore; Francis (fl.1788-1819) |
| DS/UK/481 | McDowall; George A (fl.1917-1928); Property Agent. |
| DS/UK/483 | Campbell Hooper; 1754-2009; Solicitors firm. |
| DS/UK/485 | Boatwright; James (-c.1835) |
| DS/UK/486 | Ovenden; William (fl.1835-fl.1849) |
| DS/UK/487 | Alice (fl.1876) |
| DS/UK/488 | Cobb (fl.1790) |
| DS/UK/489 | Twitchell (fl.1790) |
| DS/UK/490 | Simmons; John (fl.1798) |
| DS/UK/491 | Ramsay; George (fl.1802) |
| DS/UK/492 | Martin; Thomas (fl.1802) |
| DS/UK/493 | The Worshipful Company of Fishmongers; 1272-; Livery Company. |
| DS/UK/494 | Brunswick Hotel and Tavern; 1835-1930; Hotel. |
| DS/UK/495 | Young; Brigham (1801-1877); Leader in the Latter Day Saint movement |
| DS/UK/496 | Naisbitt; Henry William (1827-1908) |
| DS/UK/497 | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; 1830-; Christian Church movement. |
| DS/UK/498 | D'Orsey; Alex J D (1813-1894); Professor.; Academic. |
| DS/UK/499 | Graham; A (fl.1882) |
| DS/UK/500 | Hill; H J (fl.1886) |
| DS/UK/501 | Stirling; James D (fl.1886); Clerk of the High Council of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. |
| DS/UK/502 | High Council of Salt Lake City; 1848-fl.1886; Council |
| DS/UK/503 | The Salt Lake Herald Newspaper; c.1870-1909; Newspaper. |
| DS/UK/662 | Wilson; Eleanor Mary Carus- (1897-1977); Economic Historian |