Vivyenne Rubinstein’s lecture about the establishment of the Sybil Campbell Library at Crosby Hall, the British Federation of University Women’s Hall of Residence, highlights Alys Russell’s important role in the acquisition of books for the Library. Alys Russell’s activities appear regularly in the annual reports of the British Federation of University Women and of the International Federation of University Women. Alys’ cousin, M.Carey Thomas, founding Dean of Bryn Mawr College, USA also figures in IFUW reports and her papers at Bryn Mawr College illustrate her support for the founding of Reid Hall, the graduate women’s hall of residence in Paris.
While M.Carey Thomas has been a focus of scholarly literature and recent debate as to her legacy. Alys Russell is a much more shadowy figure, who is overshadowed by her marriage to Bertrand Russell. In this short note Professor Stephanie Spencer and I outline our plans to redress Alys’ shadowy status as a historical figure.
Joyce Goodman and Stephanie Spencer. “Exploring the Collection: Alys Russell and M.Carey Thomas.” Sybil Campbell Collection Newsletter 24, no. Summer (2017): 4.
