Mary Ryan (academic) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mary Ryan
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| Born | 14 December 1873 Cork, Ireland
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| Died | 16 June 1961 (aged 87) Douglas, County Cork
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| Occupation | Professor of Romance Languages at University College Cork |
| Parent(s) | Edward Ryan Matilda Ryan(nee O'Connor) |
| Relatives | Bishop Finbar Ryan OP (brother) Sir Andrew Ryan (brother) Sir Thomas Ryan (brother) |
Mary Ryan (born December 14, 1873 – died June 16, 1961) was a very important Irish woman. She made history by becoming the first woman professor at a university in Ireland or Great Britain. This happened in 1910 at University College Cork, where she taught Romance Languages.
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Mary Ryan's Early Life and School
Mary Ryan was born in Cork city, Ireland, on December 14, 1873. Her father, Edward Ryan, owned a company that made soap and later candles. This company eventually became Kinsale Candles.
Mary was the very first student at St Angela's College in Cork. This school was started by the Ursuline Sisters for girls. It later offered a special program for girls to get a university education. At that time, women were not allowed to attend lectures at universities. However, they could still take the exams and earn a degree. Mary Ryan earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1895 through the Royal University of Ireland.
Mary Ryan's University Career
In 1909, Mary Ryan started working as a lecturer in German. The next year, in 1910, she became the first woman professor at University College Cork. This was a big step forward for women in education.
This change was possible because of a new law in 1908. This law created the National University of Ireland system. This new system allowed women to be admitted to universities. While this opened up many new chances for women like Mary, it also meant that women's colleges like St Angela's were no longer as needed.
Professor Ryan was known for encouraging her students to study further. She often sent them to the Sorbonne in Paris, France, for advanced degrees. She herself was given a special award, a Doctor of Letters, for her published writings. The French Government also honored her with the Legion of Honour, which is a very high award.
Mary Ryan retired from her teaching job in 1938. She passed away on June 16, 1961, in Douglas, County Cork. She was a very religious person. Her strong faith and academic interests were clear in her writings for different publications. These included the Dublin Review and the Irish Rosary.
Mary Ryan's Legacy
In 2010, Mary Robinson, a former President of Ireland, took part in a special event. This event at University College Cork celebrated Mary Ryan's amazing achievement. It marked 100 years since a woman was first appointed as a university professor in Ireland.
Today, the School of Languages, Literature and Cultures at University College Cork has a scholarship named after her. The Mary Ryan Language Scholarship is given out every year to students.
See also
- In Profile: Professor Mary Ryan | University Express
- Women in University
- The Admission of Women to the National University of Ireland Judith Harford 44 Education Research and Perspectives, Vol. 35, No.2, 2008
- The College: A History of Queen's/University College Cork, 1845–1995, John A. Murphy, Cork University Press, 1995
- Bibliography
- President Robinson on Mary Ryan
