Agnes de Selincourt

Agnes de Selincourt (1872–1917) was a Christian missionary in India, responsible for the founding of missions, becoming the first Principal of Lady Muir Memorial College, Allahabad, India and then Principal of Westfield College, London, UK from 1913 until her death in 1917.

Early life and education She was born on 4 September 1872 in Streatham, London, Her father, Charles Alexandre De Sélincourt, was a merchant of French origin, and her mother was, Theodora Bruce, née Bendall. and attended Girton College, Cambridge from 1891 until 1894, where she obtained a first class degree studying French and German. From 1895 to 1896, she studied Oriental languages at Somerville College, Oxford. She reputedly had a working knowledge of 14 languages.

In 1896, she helped found this Missionary Settlement for University Women in Bombay, India, In 1900 she accompanied Mary Fraser on a walking tour of the Kula Valley. In 1901, she became the first Principal of Lady Muir Memorial College, Allahabad, India, and remained there until 1909.

On her return to England she worked for the Student Christian Movement. and in 1912 continued writing articles on her thoughts on missionary work, publishing an article in the newly formed International Review of Mission journal.

Westfield College In 1913, de Selincourt succeeded Constance Maynard as Principal of Westfield College, the second person to hold the lead role (and the first to use the title principal). She is buried in Brompton Cemetery.

Memorials and legacy Number 13, Kidderpore Avenue, London, originally known as Kingswear, was purchased in 1917 by Westfield College, and renamed Selincourt Hall following her death, and the Agnes de Selincourt Scholarship in Mathematics for Westfield College was named in her honour. The Agnes de Selincourt fund, a branch of the Trust Association of The Student Christian Movement of Great Britain was also named after her. A memorial plaque to Agnes de Selincourt is located in the Chapel at Girton College, Cambridge.