Ellen Ida Benham
Ellen Ida Benham (12 March 1871 – 27 April 1917) was a science teacher, headmistress and education pioneer in South Australia. History. Ellen was born at "Talarno", Kapunda, South Australia to solicitor William Hoare Benham (27 November 1833 – ), who arrived in South Australia aboard "The Gipsy" in August 1853, and his second wife Amie Benham née Huggins. Her father worked as a shearer for three years and drove bullocks before settling down as a lawyer's clerk and studying law. Ellen was educated privately, then at the Advanced School for Girls before taking the science course at the  Adelaide University, graduating BSc with honours in 1892. She taught science at the Christ Church Anglican school in Kapunda for a short time before taking a study tour of England and Europe. She took an assistant position at Dryburgh School, then taught at Tormore House School for a little over twelve years. During this time she travelled to England, where she earned her Oxford Diploma of Education. After the death of Professor Tate she taught botany at Adelaide University and was appointed lecturer "pro tem" while awaiting the arrival of Professor Osborn Thus she was, under similar circumstances to Ada  Mary Lambert at Melbourne University, the first woman appointed to an academic post at the university. In December 1912 she purchased Walford School, Fisher Street, Malvern, from Lydia Adamson, its founder in 1893. She reformed its teaching methods and course content, notably introducing science to the curriculum. In 1917 she sold the school to Mabel Jewell Baker, who then led the school for almost 40 years. Recognition. In 1922 the Ellen Benham Scholarship was established at Walford in recognition of her contribution to the development of the school. The Benham Wing, which incorporated science classrooms, in what became the Walford  Church of England Girls' Grammar School, was also named for her. She was a co-founder and longtime supporter of Adelaide University's Women's Students' Society, and its president for several years. Benham Street, in the Canberra suburb of Chisholm, is named in her honour.