Front cover of the Lawrence Room Book featuring the Roman-Egyptian mummy Hermione Grammatike. Credit 'WithinInternational'.

Women in and behind the Lawrence Room at Girton College

Thu 14 November 2019

Cambridge University Library

Part of The Rising Tide: Women at Cambridge programme hosted by Cambridge University Libraries.

A panel discussion with contributors to a new book about the Lawrence Room, a museum of antiquities at Cambridge’s first college for women. The museum will be open following the discussion.

The Lawrence Room museum at Girton College comprises Anglo-Saxon material found on the College site, and Mediterranean and Egyptian antiquities donated by members and friends of the College during the 20th century. In 2019 the museum committee has published a book featuring ten chapters focused on objects in the room, and the individuals involved in their modern collecting history.

From delving into the College archives, contributors have made clear the prominence of pioneering women in the story of Girton’s museum as part of the history of the first women’s college in Cambridge – from the unusual acquisition of Hermione, the Roman-Egyptian mummy, to the display of a writing desk said to belong to Girton’s founder Emily Davies and the gradual creation of the museum catalogue itself.


Following the discussion, attendees are warmly invited to visit the Lawrence Room at Girton College (where there is also a café selling refreshments) from 2-6pm. Parking available onsite.

Suitable for ages 14+.

Cost: Free