1 SOUTHLANDS TRAINING COLLEGE HIGH STREET BATTERSEA, S.W.
Principal : Miss M. ATKINSON WILLIAMS, M.A. (London) 1.5.16. Dear Sir May I beg you to give the contents of this letter
your careful consideration, and, if necessary, to pass it on to
the Chief Secretary for Ireland. The recent Irish troubles have suggested to me that
I may be of use, in a small way, in the necessary reconstruction
of Irish affairs, from the point of view of Irish
education. Since it appears that many of the rebels are adoles-
cents, who have come under undesirable influence, it is
important to try to get a wholesome & loyal atmosphere
in the elementary schools & Colleges where such teachers
are trained. I have made a study of adolescents,
during all my professional experience, and have had much
to do with planning & carrying out suitable courses of
Literature & History for schools & Colleges of all grades. Could I be of use as Principal of a College for
them: Teachers, or Inspector of schools, or similar work?
I do not think I should arouse resentment, as, though
I have been in England nearly all my life, I was born in
Ireland, of Anglo-Irish parents, whose family had been
in Ireland since Cromwell's time, and I have sufficient
Irish blood in me to make me understand Irish tem-
peraments and deal sympathetically with Irish
young people, at a very impressionable age. I have travelled widely in the British Empire &
have had more experience of handling my fellow creatures
than most English professional women of my class. I know
Australia, Canada, & U.S.A. & have met Irish
people in all parts of the Empire. I am a Protestant
but have many Catholic friends, & when I was a 2 Lecturer in Education in the University of Melbourne
(Australia) I gave several courses & Lectures on 'The
Teaching of English' to Roman Catholic Training
Colleges, with which I was on most friendly terms. At present, I am Principal of the above College
& extremely happily placed. So far as social status
salary, personal comfort, & the society of friends, I am
bound to be a loss by taking on Irish post. I mention
this, merely to show that I have no 'axe to grind' &
but am simply anxious to help my Country & Empire &
win the war. This may be the definite piece of war work
that I can do, & if so, I will gladly do it. There are
probably not many women of my training who would
stand in the same relation to England & the Empire
as I do, with English training & sympathies, and
yet with Irish birth - which would appeal to
the Irish students. Add to this, that I have also
a much wider knowledge of & belief in the solidity
of the Empire than other women who have not
travelled as widely than I. If you should think seriously of me then I
can supply the fullest answers to all enquiries
as to my birth, age, education, experience &
character. I only want to be of use, &, something will
have to be done to deal with the problems of
Irish educational influence as soon as possible. Believe me
Faithfully Yours,
M. Atkinson Williams 3 Academic Qualifications
1. B.A. University of London
2. M.A. ' ' '
3. Diploma in Pedagogy University of London
4. Higher Froebel Certificate
5. Gilchrist Travelling Service,
University of London Experience
1. Trained as teacher in above College.
2. Lectures in above College in English and Educational Method.
3. Six months visit to America (Canada & U.S.A. to study educational problems.
4. 4 1/2 years in Australia
Lectures in Ed : Melbourne Uni.
Head of ?Giver? Grammar Sch.
Queensland.
5. Principal, above College : ( on the
said returning from Australia to take
this post - when war broke out.)