cemetary - Curious Edinburgh

Flora Philip

Feb 282024

63 Dean Path, Dean Cemetary, Edinburgh, EH4 3AT

A path with a row of old tombstones and autumn leaves on the grass.

Flora Philip (1865 – 1943) was a mathematician and one of the first women to graduate from the University of Edinburgh. When she began her studies, the law prohibited women from studying at Scottish universities, so she enrolled with the Edinburgh Association for the University Education of Women instead. This was an organisation campaigning for higher education for women, offering its own classes delivered by lecturers from Edinburgh University. Upon the passing of the Universities (Scotland) Act in 1889, which allowed women to attend university, Philip was matriculated at the University of Edinburgh and received her degree for her previous studies. She was the first female member of the Edinburgh Mathematical Society and was admitted to the prestigious organisation before she even received her degree. Philip is buried at this cemetery, alongside her husband George Stewart and their children.

A black and white photo (circa 1945) of an elderly woman wearing a dark graduation cap and gown

A large grey tombstone with a square knot carving at the top. The stone is for George Stewart (1865-1938) and his beloved wife Flora Philip, M.A. (14th August 1945) and additional members of their family.

Satellite view screenshot of Google Maps Dean Cemetery showing the location of the lower cemetery and the headstone.

Sources:

“Flora Philip.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 14 Mar. 2023.
“Notable Alumni: Flora Philip (1865 – 1943).” Alumni Services, The University of Edinburgh, 20 Nov. 2015,
O’Connor, JJ, and EF Robertson. “Flora Philip – Biography.” Maths History, Jan. 2008
Google Maps (2023). Dropped pin, Dean Cemetery, Edinburgh. Accessed 2 Dec. 2023

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