Radcliffe College

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Radcliffe College was a women's liberal arts college in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and functioned as a coordinate institution for Harvard University. It was founded in 1879 and was one of the Seven Sisters, a group of elite women's colleges in the Northeastern United States. Radcliffe was named after Ann Radcliffe, an early benefactor of Harvard College.

History

Radcliffe College was established to provide women with an education equivalent to that offered to men at Harvard. The college was originally known as the "Harvard Annex" because it allowed women to attend lectures given by Harvard professors. In 1894, it was chartered as Radcliffe College, and it began to grant degrees to women.

Throughout its history, Radcliffe maintained a close relationship with Harvard, and in 1943, the two institutions began to issue joint diplomas. In 1963, Radcliffe students were allowed to attend classes with Harvard students, and by 1977, Radcliffe undergraduates were fully integrated into Harvard's residential houses.

Merger with Harvard

In 1999, Radcliffe College formally merged with Harvard University to become the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study. The merger marked the end of Radcliffe as an independent undergraduate institution, but the Radcliffe Institute continues to support advanced study and research, particularly in the humanities, sciences, and social sciences.

Notable Alumnae

Radcliffe College has produced many notable alumnae, including:

• Helen Keller, author and activist
• Gertrude Stein, writer and art collector
• Margaret Atwood, author
• Benazir Bhutto, former Prime Minister of Pakistan

Campus

The Radcliffe campus was located in the Radcliffe Quadrangle, which is now part of the Harvard campus. The Radcliffe Yard, the historic center of the campus, includes several notable buildings such as Fay House, Agassiz House, and Schlesinger Library.

Legacy

Radcliffe College played a significant role in the history of women's education in the United States. Its integration with Harvard paved the way for greater gender equality in higher education. The Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study continues to honor the legacy of Radcliffe College by fostering interdisciplinary research and scholarship.

Related Pages

• Harvard University
• Seven Sisters (colleges)
• Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study
• Ann Radcliffe (scholar)
• Helen Keller
• Gertrude Stein
• Margaret Atwood
• Benazir Bhutto