Mary Medd facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mary Beaumont Medd
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| Born |
Mary Beaumont Crowley
4 August 1907 |
| Died | 6 June 2005 (aged 97) |
| Nationality | British |
| Alma mater | Bedales School |
| Occupation | Architect |
| Practice | Hertfordshire county Ministry of Education |
Mary Beaumont Medd (born August 4, 1907, died June 6, 2005) was a talented British architect. She was famous for designing public buildings, especially schools. Mary Medd was also the very first architect to work for the Hertfordshire local government.
Contents
Growing Up and Learning
Early Life and School
Mary Medd's father was Ralph Henry Crowley. He worked as a top doctor for the government's education department. Mary first learned at home. Then, she spent a year at a special experimental school. This school was run by Isabel Fry.
After that, she went to Bedales School from 1921 to 1926. She was a great student and even became the Head Girl there.
Architecture Training
After finishing school in Switzerland, Mary decided to study architecture. In 1927, she joined the Architectural Association School of Architecture. She studied with other future architects like Jessica Albery and Judith Ledeboer.
Together, they became very interested in making better homes for people. They also cared a lot about social issues. These ideas greatly shaped their careers in architecture.
Designing Buildings
Early Projects
Before she married, Mary was known as Mary Crowley. She worked with another architect, Cecil George Kemp. In 1935–36, they designed three houses together. These homes were located in Tewin, Hertfordshire.
Building Schools in Hertfordshire
In 1941, something important happened. John Newsom, who was in charge of education in Hertfordshire, hired Mary. This made her the first architect ever to work for the Hertfordshire County Council.
Later, she met her future husband, David Leslie Medd (1917–2009). They met while working on a team of architects. Their job was to build many new schools in Hertfordshire after World War II.
Mary and David married on April 11, 1949. From then on, they always worked together. They became leading experts in designing schools across England and Wales.
Later Life
Mary Medd passed away on June 6, 2005. She died in Woolmer Green, Hertfordshire.
