Pioneering women chemists of Bedford College

Bedford College was founded as a ladies' college in Bedford Square, London in 1849 though it was not until 1880 that the first Bedford students graduated with University of London degrees. Chemistry began to flourish in the late 1880s with the appointment of organic chemist Holland Crompton and the construction of the first university-level chemistry and physics laboratories for women in London.^1,2 In those days, it was unthought of for a woman to aspire to a senior rank in a university chemistry department. Instead they assumed subordinate roles, for example as supporting instructors.