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Gillian Harrison-the first woman Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)

10/1/2022

7 Comments

 
Picture
On This Day 10 January 1898 Edith Gillian Cooke was born

(Edith) Gillian Harrison (née Cooke) (1898–1974), architect, was born at St Hilaire, Rydal Road, Streatham, on 10 January 1898, the oldest child of Henry Cooke (1862–1937), a solicitor, and his wife Rose Margaret, née Bristow (1871–1933).

She had a brother, George, and a sister, Rosemary (1900–1985). The household was a prosperous one, and by 1911 the family had moved to a substantial house in Argyll Road, Kensington, with three servants and a governess.


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A British architect. After Roedean School, she trained at the Architectural Association School of Architecture from 1917-1922, where she was one of the first four female students.
In 1931 Harrison became the first woman Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects. In 1923, she married Henry St John Harrison, also an architect. Together they formed a joint practice called Cooke & Harrison. They had one child, a son.

(Another Streatham Architect Frederick Wheeler lived
 in the same road-Rydal Road)
7 Comments
Richard St. John Harrison
29/10/2022 02:13:48 am

Hello,l am Gillian Harrison's son and living in Aistralia.

Thank you for making this delightful piece available.
Best regards, Richard.

Reply
mark bery
29/10/2022 04:59:02 am

Richard
Lovely to hear from you. Do you have any information and pictures that you can share with us and we can see what we have in case it is of use to you. Your mother is a candidate for a plaque Please email me on [email protected]. Thanks

Reply
Mark Bery
16/2/2023 01:56:16 pm

Richard

Do you have any photos or other information on your mother. We are keen to get more information about her as it was a notable achievement to be the first female RIBA fellow. My email is [email protected] Thanks

Reply
Chris Mees link
28/7/2023 07:25:36 am

For futher information about Edith Gillian Harrison see the entry on her in the AHRnet Biographical Dictionary of British and Irish Architects 1800-1950 https://architecture.arthistoryresearch.net/architects/harrison-edith-gillian

Reply
Mark Bery
28/7/2023 08:16:39 am

Many thanks Chris- I am still trying to find a photo of her but without luck. If you have any leads please let me know

Reply
Chris Mees link
28/7/2023 11:59:05 am

Hi Mark

I've added some additional information to her profile including details of her obituary in the RIBA Journal

The RIBA Library has a biographical file on Edith Gillian Harrison which is available on request from the Enquiry Desk. This may contain a photograph of her.

Best

Chris

Reply
Mark Bery
28/7/2023 02:19:42 pm

Chris- many thanks I will visit the library and see if I can get a photo and some other information. Thanks for your help- much appreciated

Reply



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    Author

    Mark Bery, Secretary Streatham Society

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