Isabel Skelton

Isabel Skelton (July 9, 1877 – August 22, 1956) was a Canadian historian and educator. She was notable for being one of the first historians to study the role of women in Canadian history.

Biography Isabel Murphy was born in Antrim, Ontario, Carleton County, a rural area 30 km west of Ottawa. Her parents were Mary Jane Holliday, a teacher, and Alexander Murphy, a farmer. She attended Arnprior District High School and continued her studies at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. In 1901, she graduated with a master's degree in arts with a specialty in history.

In 1904, she married Oscar Skelton, whom she met while studying at university. Together they raised three children. In 1909, they moved to Kingston when Oscar was appointed Professor of Political Science and Economics at Queen's University. While in Kingston she became active in campus organizations. She was a member of the Queen's University Alumni Association. In 1915, she became president of the Women's Canadian Club of Kingston. She advocated for women's right to vote. She wrote an article for Canadian Magazine which stated that women voters might achieve greater rights in regards to property, marriage, and guardianship over children.