This is a recording of the talk 'Clotilde Brewster: the First Female International Architect' recorded on 11th March 2025.
This talk is part of the Online Winter Lecture Series 2025 called Victorian and Edwardian Women in Architecture. Follow this link to book all of the lectures.
Organised by Lynne Walker
The spring lecture series provides the opportunity to engage with recent, path-breaking research by leading experts which gives a fresh perspective on women’s diverse roles in nineteenth and early twentieth century architecture as designers, patrons, clients, philanthropists, and businesswomen, as well as their emergence as professional architects by 1900. In the broad context of Victorian society, this series considers themes and issues which both facilitated and limited women’s agency and contribution in a male-dominated world, most notably, family, social and political networks, widowhood and wealth.
Clotilde Brewster: a Life in Perspective:
the Journey of the First Female International Architect
by Laura Fitzmaurice
Described by the composer Ethel Smyth as brilliant, sociable, amusing and utterly original, Clotilde Brewster (1874–1937) defied all the odds by becoming the first woman to work internationally as an architect. Her story offers a glimpse into elite professional life in Victorian Britain and Europe during the Victorian and Edwardian eras, highlighting the largely unknown role of women in architecture.
Laura Fitzmaurice earned her Bachelor of Architecture from Cornell University and currently works in high-end residential design in Cambridge, Massachusetts. In addition to her design work, Laura researches and writes about early women architects. Her book Clotilde Brewster: Pioneering Woman Architect was published by Lund Humphries in November 2024.
After booking a ticket, you will be given access to the recording of the event. Please ignore the event date in the listings.
This event helps raise funds for The Victorian Society - the only charity dedicated to fighting for our Victorian and Edwardian heritage. Join us today and safeguard our unique cultural heritage for future generations! For further information, click here.
The Victorian Society is an IHBC recognised CPD provider.
Image:
