Ethel Charles facts for kids

Ethel Mary Charles (born March 25, 1871 – died April 8, 1962) was a pioneering British architect. She made history in 1898 by becoming the very first woman to join the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). This was a huge step for women in a field mostly dominated by men.

Ethel Charles's Early Life

Ethel Charles was born in Calcutta, India. Her sister, Bessie Ada Charles, and brother, Ronald Charles, were also born there. Their father, Thomas Edmonton Charles, was a doctor. Their mother was Ada Henrietta Charles.

In 1877, when Ethel was six, her family moved from India. They lived in Cannes, France, for a while. For twenty years, they spent their summers in Switzerland and winters in Rome, Italy. They also visited England every year.

Ethel and Bessie were taught at home. In 1891, they both studied modern languages at Somerville College, Oxford, for a year. Even though their father was a respected doctor, he encouraged his daughters to choose a career. This was unusual for women at that time.

Becoming an Architect

Between 1892 and 1895, Ethel and Bessie learned about architecture. They worked with a famous architectural firm called Sir Ernest George and Peto. In 1893, both sisters tried to join the Architectural Association School of Architecture. However, they were not allowed to enter because they were women.

Ethel did not give up. She completed part of her training at the Bartlett School of Architecture. She even earned special awards for her excellent work there.

Joining RIBA

Ethel traveled a lot, drawing buildings in England, France, and Italy. These drawings are now kept at the RIBA Collection. After her training, she worked as an assistant to Walter Cave. She studied old Gothic buildings and house designs.

In June 1898, Ethel passed the exams to become a member of RIBA. The president of RIBA, Professor George Aitchison, welcomed her. But some members did not want a woman to join. One member, W. Hilton Nash, said it would "prejudice" the group to have a lady member.

Despite this, Ethel was finally accepted. Fifty-one members voted for her, and sixteen voted against. This was a big victory! In 1902, she asked the Architectural Association to accept women as architects. But they did not allow women to join until 1917.

Her Architectural Work

From 1898 to 1905, Ethel and Bessie Charles lived in Marylebone, London. This area had homes for single working women. The sisters also spent time at their family home in Camberley, Surrey. Later, they moved their architectural work to Clift Cottage in Flushing, Cornwall.

Their most famous project is a chapel in Mylor Bridge, near Falmouth, built in 1907. They also designed houses on Gyllyngyvase Terrace in Falmouth in the same year.

Ethel found it hard to get big projects because these were usually given to men. So, she focused on designing smaller homes, like cottages for workers. She often worked with her sister Bessie, who also became a RIBA member. Ethel believed that the best chances for architects were in commercial buildings. However, the only mention of her working on a large building is a church in Germany that won an award in 1905. We don't know where this church is now.

In 1905, Ethel Charles received the RIBA Silver Medal for her work. Her drawings of workers' cottages from 1895 show how old English styles changed. They helped lead to the Arts and Crafts and Garden City styles of building.

Later Life and Legacy

After the First World War, Ethel Charles did not seem to practice architecture as much. She lived with her younger brother, Ronald, who was an army officer. He was in charge of the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich from 1924 to 1926.

Ethel Charles passed away on April 8, 1962, in Haverthwaite, Lancashire. She was cremated, and her ashes were placed next to her sister Bessie, who had died in 1932.

Ethel Charles left her architectural drawings and sketchbooks to RIBA. In 2017, RIBA honored her as a pioneer woman architect. She opened the door for many women who came after her in the field of architecture.

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