Ruth Alsop facts for kids

Ruth Alsop was a very important woman in Australian history. She was the first woman to become a qualified architect in the state of Victoria, Australia. This means she was the first woman allowed to design buildings professionally in that area! She was born in 1879 and passed away in 1976.

Ruth Alsop: A Pioneer Architect

Growing Up in Melbourne

Ruth Alsop was born in 1879 in a place called Kew, which is a suburb of Melbourne. She was one of eight children, so she had a big family! Her parents were John and Anne Alsop.

Starting Her Career

In 1907, when Ruth was about 28 years old, she started working at a company called Klingender & Alsop. This company belonged to her younger brother, Rodney Alsop, who was also an architect. Ruth worked hard and finished her special training in 1912. This made her a qualified architect.

She continued to work with her brother's company until 1916. At that time, she had to leave her job to look after her parents, who were both sick. Even though she stopped working, Ruth kept her official architect's license until 1927.

Her Designs and Legacy

Ruth Alsop designed a house in Croydon. She lived there with her two sisters, Edith and Florence, for many years, even into the 1950s. Edith was an artist, and Florence was a journalist.

To remember her important work, a lane in Canberra was named after her. It is called Ruth Alsop Lane in Greenway.