Muriel Ada JULIUS [1224]

   Another name for Muriel was Ada Muriel JULIUS.

  General Notes:

Births.
January 26, at 12, York buildings, Hastings, the wife of Stanley Alexander Julius, Esq, of a daughter.
Ref: Hastings and St Leonards Observer 30 January 1875.

Muriel was an independant spirit, she did not marry and entered the 20thC, aged 26, at a time when women's suffrage was an active issue, as was their education. A woman's place in society was changing spurred by WWI.

Muriel was politically active a report in 1910 finds her at the annual meeting of the General Council of the South Eastern Division of Surrey Women's Unionist Association where amongst other matters, they were celebrating the election to Parliament of Col R.H. Rawson a supporter of their cause, and husband of their President. At the same meeting Muriel was elected to the Executive Committee.
Ref: Dorking and Leatherhead Advertiser Saturday, 16 April 1910.

Julius Jottings. No 7 April 1902.
A short time afterwards the "Hockey Field" offered another prize for the best essay on the subject and this time the prize was awarded to Miss Muriel Julius.
Miss Christine Stevens [1103] had shortly before been awarded a prize for suggesting the topic of the essay.

A Hockey Enthusiast.
It is not generally known that Miss Julius, who comes of a very old Richmond family, was one of England's leading women hockey players. She played for the South of England, Surrey, and the now defunct Richmond Club, and is now one of the four Life Governors of the Women's Hockey Association. Furthermore she has been largely responsible for England's pre-eminent position in women's hockey, and after her retirement from the game she coached our international teams. At one time she was woman's hockey correspondant for the "Evening Standard". She has now taken up gardening as a hobby, and Petersham Flower Show will be lucky if they ever have such a keen president again.
Ref: Unidentified newspaper article.

Muriel was an officer in the Wrens during World War I, where she continued her work at Kings College for Women, particularly in household management and wartime nutrition.
After the War she appears to have been overtaken by changes at Kings College for Women and her employment was terminated on mutually apreciative terms.

The Hastings & St Leonards Observer of the 3rd Dec 1938 has an article on Muriel, she had just published a book of poetry named "Doggerels". A signed copy dated 1943 is in the possession of Nancy Hadwen (2002). The article says Miss Julius was born at a house called York Buildings facing the Memorial (Hastings?). One of her earliest memories was of a very high tide and boats rowing around the Memorial.
Muriel went to Hastings/St Leonards College in Warrior Sq., for 8 years, she played hockey for the Sussex Womens team and the Womens Royal Naval Service.
Muriel looked after her mother, then built a cottage for herself in Petersham. Nancy Fenn took her milk during the war from Home Farm, Ham House where Nancy was a land girl.
Muriel had a maid May, who was very close to the family, she bought a house in Ham for May's mother. Her family called her Mule.

My Great Aunt May (May Hewett) was a lady's companion to Miss Julius (Muriel or Ada) in the early 1900s. When my Auntie May died (in 1990) my Mum received some paperwork and a book about Churchill Julius (A Power in the Land).
Mum would like the Julius family to have the book, so I added the family to my tree hoping for contact. I expect you already have a copy of the book.
Genes Reunited 2009

In the summer of 1950 Muriel's great nephew, Ed Cooper, remembers: "Aunt Mule", at Petersham, near Richmond.
He ponders in 2010.
The relationship between Muriel and May is fascinating: I think it did amount to love but I really don't know what kind. Muriel can be seen as a bit butch of course, very big in hockey, etc. But there is also a hint in her instructions to May for handling her death of some past love, some letters to be destroyed, could it have been a man lost in the first world war like so many other spinsters/maiden aunts, etc? Anyway, love was complicated by class, May's relatives do see her as having been "in service" therefore in some sense a servant - it's all the more fascinating looked at from the 21st century - and poignant too.

Birth BDM Reg: 1875 1st Qtr
Death - Surrey (probably Ham) 2nd Qtr 1961 5g 415

Julius Jeannette Muriel otherwise Muriel Ada of The Cottage Sudbrook Lane Petersham Surrey spinster died 12 April 1961 Probate London 8 June 1961 to Arthur David MacLeod Robinson solicitor. Effects L15806 8s 4d.
Ref: National Probate Calendar.

  Research Notes:

BEXHILL 931 Julius Miss M 2 St Georges Rd
Ancestry: Brighton Exeter Essex etc Phone Book 1927/28/29/3
1/32/33/34/35

This is unlikely to be Muriel.

  Other Records

1. Census: England, 3 Apr 1881, 19 Cornwallis Gdns Hastings. Muriel is recorded as a daughter aged 6 born Hastings SSX

2. Census: England, 5 Apr 1891, 19 Cornwallis Gdns Hastings. Ada is recorded as a daughter aged 16 a scholar born Hastings SSX

3. Census: England, 31 Mar 1901, 7 Onslow Ave Richmond SRY. Ada is recorded as a daughter single aged 26 born Hastings SSX

4. Census: England, 2 Apr 1911, 7 Onslow Ave Richmond SRY. Muriel is recorded as a daughter aged 36 single an organising secretary Home Science & Social Economics Kings College for women Kensington LON born St Marys-in-the-Castle Hastings

5. Muriel Ada Julius: Her youth. Muriel was a woman who enjoyed outdoors physical activity. Shown here as a young girl in 1886, then at the beach and in the garden.

6. Muriel Julius: As a Sports Woman.
Muriel was keen on sport, a leading hockey player and active skier.

7. Kings College for Women, 1908-1914, Pictures of the new College, Muriel under canvass, images of students at their tasks courtesy of Kings College Collections.
In January 1908 the Women's Department of King's College was incorporated into the University of London as a separate institution under the name King's College for Women. A founder Sir John Atkins, identified the need for a scientific approach to household arts, and promoted this form of higher education for women. Funds were raised and an impressive new building was built in Camden in 1915, to house the College, including "Queen Mary's Hostel" a student residence for 200.
Ref: http://www.kingscollections.org/exhibitions/archives/studentdays/queen-elizabeth-college/queen-elizabeth-college-through-the-years/household-and-social-science-department-1915-1928
http://www.google.co.nz/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=4&ved=0CCMQFjADahUKEwiAi9GD4ejIAhVnJaYKHXgHBlQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fora.ox.ac.uk%2Fobjects%2Fuuid%253Aab86830a-8703-4d12-ac88-c3020a9eb7ef%2Fdatastreams%2FATTACHMENT1&usg=AFQjCNEC24bw_eGs43bmPv27rtpi_rmjEA

Muriel joined this institution becoming the Organising Secretary.

Domestic Science.
Miss Julius (organising secretary of Domestic Science at Kings College London) gave an interesting address on "domestic science as a career for girls" at the Wellingborough County Secondary School for Girls on Thursday. Miss Julius at the outset alluded to the fact that Miss Tinkler was at one time at Kings College. There was a wide scope for any girl to take up the question of domestic science and economics, which were specially designed for the needs of women who wish to prepare for efficient management of the home or for positions as inspectors, teachers in economics and domestic science, health visitors, etc. Every girl should fit herself for home life, just as much as women who took up nursing and other careers. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to Miss Julius on the motion of Miss Tinkler who said they were having a room in the new school specially fitted for teaching the subject, and they had been assured by the inspector that it was one of the best in that part of England. Miss Julius aptly acknowledged. Miss Tinkler, BA principle presided. Tea was subsequently served. Mr F W Sanderson, M.A. (Oundle) was amongst those present.
Ref: Northampton Mercury 21 July 1911.


A Girls Education in the Future.
While the education of women is in its present unsatisfactory condition it is difficult to lay down theories. But there is a great deal to be said for Miss Julius's scheme for putting scientific domesticity on a level with literature, history, and the classics in women's university training. The housekeeping of 60 years ago is not the model for the housekeeping of today. Life has become scientific and housekeeping must be made scientific also.
The great difficulty is that most women are forced to become wage earners before they have any proper education. While only a small proportion of boys are employed in "blind alley" occupations (says The Lady), girls are thus employed in vast numbers. In the future it will probably be recognised that girls education must be conducted on the same lines as a boys, with the important addition, in the girl's case, of domestic economy as an integral and important element of her training.
Ref: Dundee Evening Telegraph 5 March 1912.

Science and the Home.
For some years there has been a feeling amongst a certain number of educationalists that the status of the subjects which are covered by the term "Home Science" should be more clearly defined than it has been hitherto, says "The Queen". The Kings College for Women, University of London, introduced, 3 years ago, a course of study in home science and economics, and the results have been eminently satisfactory. With the founding of the Queen Mary Hostel it is hoped that the universities will give a diploma, and eventually, a degree for the subject.
By allowing the proposed Hostel to take her name the Queen has shown her very real interest in the matter. That her Majesty is intensely practical in all household affairs is well known, and she is always willing and anxious to help any movement that will advance home life on the right lines.
The Queen Mary Hostel, for which a site has not yet been found, will be situated in Kensington, and will be a big building where the students in home science courses will live, and also learn much of their practical work, so that instead of having to seek experience through the courtesy of managers of clubs, etc, they will gain it day by day in their own surroundings. Students will be not only those who wish to earn their livings eventually, for it is being more generally recognised that girls should train for home life just as much as for any other work or position.
The teachers in secondary schools will have a different grip of their subjects after having passed through a course of training, and they will impart their knowledge to the children, so that, gradually, it will filter through to the nation at large. This is what is claimed for it by Miss Oakeley, the Warden of the Kings College for Women, and by the Committee and Secretary, although they wisely acknowledge that time only can give the experience in the working out of the scheme which will make it perfect. Modifications and alterations may be made in the items of the course, but in the main promoters of the Queen's Hostel feel confident that they are starting on the right lines, whereby housewifery, in all its branches, may be raised to the standard of a university subject.
It has been objected that the practical arts of cookery, laundry work, housewifery, and sanitation are not yet sufficiently correlated to the sciences on which they are based, for this new group of studies to be raised to the standard of a university course, But this Is not the view of the Kings College for Women.
Miss Julius, the organising secretary of the course has pointed out that there were many difficulties to overcome before the universities admitted agriculture and engineering as academic courses of study, but both the subjects are now included with immense advantage to the students. She, therefore, confidently looks forward to the time when women shall be able to take a degree in home science. In America there are 24 colleges of high standing which have these courses.
One extremely important point is mentioned by Miss Julius, who says that the girl who had learned economics would appreciate the conditions surrounding the people she was teaching and would, therefore, use only the simplest of apparatus and methods when lecturing to those who came from working men's homes.
Ref: Sheffield Evening Telegraph 9 March 1912.

Home Science
Lady Lecturer at Kettering
Much interest was manifested on Tuesday evening in an address delivered in Tordoff Schools Kettering, by Miss Julius of King's College London.
In response to invitations from Miss Butcher and Miss Barton, principals of the Girls High School, a goodly audience, for the most part composed of ladies, assembled for the occasion.
Mr R Burley Wallis JP, had kindly consented to preside, but was unavoidably detained out-of-town. The chair was accordingly taken by Miss Barton, who briefly introduced the speaker.
The subject treated by Miss Julius was "Some aspects of the new movement in Home Science as a new career for girls". Very bright and interesting the address proved. The various points were set forth with unmistakable clearness, while, by way of occasional illustration, amusing incidents were very effectively introduced. There was undoubtedly a great need, urged the speaker, for some such movement as the one under review. All knowledge should, as far as possible, be turned to practical account. It was coming to be admitted that, to be effective, social reform must be preventative rather than remedial. Instancing infantile mortality and other evils, the speaker urged that, if these were to be stamped out, a beginning must be made at the root, and the root lay in the INDIVIDUAL HOME.
According to official estimates some 40% of infantile mortality was due to malnutrition; and this was not owing entirely to poverty, but in many cases ignorance. In this connection the speaker emphasised the necessity of those in the higher grades of society setting a good example; what they did, and were interested in today, those just a shade lower in the social scale would do and be interested in on the morrow. It was of the utmost importance that the practical arts should be linked up with the sciences that were taught; otherwise it meant a sacrifice of valuable intellectual powers. The ability to reason was just as essential as is the ability to cook. The education of their girls, went on the speaker, had been too largely carried on without due regard to their SUBSEQUENT CAREER.
In former times men had been divided into "thinkers and doers" but it had latterly been recognized that this was not sufficient if the most excellent results were to be secured. In the case of the army and agriculture, to quote two examples, it had been demonstrated that a scientific knowledge was essential to complete the soldier's or farmer's equipment. Many people were frightened at the word "science" in connection with the home, and one form of opposition to which the movement was subjected came from people who said in effect that what was good enough for their grandmothers was good enough for them. It must be remembered, however, that the traditions that obtained in the times of their grandmothers had to a large extent disappeared. No new science, declared the speaker, was being taught at King's, where (in 1908) the NEW MOVEMENT originated.
The novelty lay in the regrouping of existing sciences. The speaker proceeded briefly to refer to various subjects, pointing out their connection with everyday life - biology, physiology, hygiene, chemistry (in relation to cooking), physics (light, ventilation, heat, etc), and economics. The last named included a knowledge of business matters concerning which many girls and women were woefully ignorant.
After alluding to Queen Mary's practical interest in the movement the lecturer spoke of the many lucrative avenues of usefulness open to women who had undergone such a course of training as the project was designed to provide.
Thanks to the speaker were voiced by Miss Barton.
Ref: Unidentified Kettering paper

49 Lansdowne Rd W.
June 11, 1914.
Dear Miss Julius
I should like to send you my hearty congratulations on the successful results of your organisation of today's ceremony. That everything went off so well is no matter of surprise to those of us who have realised for long how greatly the cause of Home Science is indebted to your unfailing ability, tact and energy.
Yours very sincerely
Herbert Jackson.

8. Muriel Ada Julius: Letter terminating her employment, 9 Apr 1918, London.
Household & Social Science Department Telephone 2728 Park
King's College for Women Stations: High Street Kensington
University of London Notting Hill Gate

Dean. Dr Janet Lane-Claypon
Secretary. Miss A M Julius.

Campden Hill Rd, W8
April 9, 1980.

Dear Mr Julius,
at the last meeting of the Executive Committee of the Household and Social Science Department, in view of the fact that the reorganisation of the administration, and the appointment of a vice dean, will involve the severance of your close and long continued association with the Department, it was unanimously desired that a special expression of appreciation should be conveyed to you.
There were present members who had known your work intimately in the earliest days, and who have been in touch with it throughout the history of the Institution as well as those who have come into contact with during the recent developments in the last two years. They wish you to know that it has been highly valued. They remember how much the department owed to your enthusiasm and understated labour in the difficult beginnings when it was struggling for recognition against tradition and prejudice. They have also especially recognise the sympathetic character of your relations with the students, particularly during the time you have been Resident in the Hotel.
On the termination of your close association with the activities of the Department you will have the deep satisfaction of knowing that the cause you have had so much at heart has been help for by your generous efforts, and that your work has met with wide felt appreciation.
With a very cordial good wishes of the Committee for your future career.
I am dear Miss Julius,
Yours sincerely,
E Cooper-Perry


Household and Social Science Department
Kings College for Women
(University of London)

Queen Mary's Hostel,
Camden Hill Road, W8.
11 April 1918.

Dear Sir Cooper Perry,
Will you kindly express to the Executive Committee my most grateful thanks for the very kind message which they sent me and which I much value. I think they all know what a great pleasure my work for them has always given me, and how heartily I share with them in the great satisfaction of knowing that the College is now firmly established and appreciated.
I should like to take this opportunity of thanking the Committee for their great kindness in giving me this last year of close association with the students. It will always be to me one of my happiest memories.
Yours sincerely,
M.A. Julius.
Ref: Details above & image of Muriels letter of appreciation for her years with the College, courtesy of Kings
College Achives 2015

9. Wartime Service: with Kings College for Women, 1914-1919. Muriel served in the WRENS in WWI reaching a rank of Principle (Lt Cdr). In the record of service by the Woman Royal Naval Service Navy List of 1919 she is identified with the "London Depot Hostel"
Photo of Kings College group with Muriel, courtesy of Kings College Collections.

Chances for Girls at Kings College.
The splendid new buildings of Kings College for Women at Camden Hill, Kensington, are almost ready for the students, and over L100,000 has been spent upon them. The situation is magnificent, as from Camden Hill the most extensive views are obtained of the surrounding country and the air is the finest in London. Miss Julius, who is the organising secretary, said the College offers courses of study which cannot be obtained in any other university outside the United States, and here girls will have splendid chances and opportunities. The women can qualify for appointments in the Public Health Department and in every branch of social work, while for professional women there is every arrangement for scientific practical work. Even the question of matrimony is fully considered, and Miss Julius asserts that their students are snapped up so quickly that many marry before their courses are completed. There are special short courses arranged for War workers that should be of great value. These include economic housekeeping, wartime cookery, nutrition, business affairs, banking, hygiene and camp cookery. The last is followed under camping conditions out in the open and under the direction of a woman who has just come back from a camp kitchen for wounded soldiers near Boulogne. Students who wish to be skilled in war work can come for a single term. Queen Mary's scholarship, tenable for 3 years to be held by an officer's daughter has been awarded to a student who enters next month.
Ref: Western Daily Press Saturday, 18 December 1915.

The Times 13 March 1916 pg 16 col C
FOOD ECONOMY
To the Editor of The Times
Sir, May I be allowed to point out to your correspondent "Martha" that Mr Runciman and has already given the required information about meat, namely "careful calculations have been made showing that if every man, woman, and child would do with 2lb per month, per person, less meat during the summer and winter, we should have enough and more than enough to go round"? In connection with this, it may be of interest to know that the average meat consumption per man is 8 ounces to 10 ounces a day; this includes bone, wastage in cooking, and also covers bacon. Therefore if the population were to reduce their meat consumption from 8 ounces to 10 ounces to 6 ounces to 8 ounces per head per day, they need no longer suffer conscientious scruples when sitting down to a much prized chop. With regard to sugar, the average consumption per man is 5 ounces per day; this includes jam, treacle, &c., and could be reduced without detriment to general nourishment to 3 ounces. From the point of view of economy, it would be unwise to reduce the consumption of bread (the average consumed being 10 ounces to 12 ounces), unless oatmeal is substituted (relatively speaking, protein costs twice as much in bread as in oatmeal). As for the fats, the average consumption works out at about 2 ounces a day, all of which, with the exception of the fat of milk drunk as such, might quite well be taken in the form of margarine or dripping a one third of the cost of butter and cheese. Until the housekeeper's of England are properly educated in such matters as physiology, including the part played by foodstuffs in animal economy, it is difficult to give helpful advice. The best thing "Martha" can do would be to study "Food Economy in Wartime" by Wood and Hopkins, price 6d., Cambridge University Press; and "The Food Value of Great Britain's Food Supply" by W. H. Thompson, published by Williams and Norgate.
Yours faithfully,
M. A. Julius,
Organising Secretary, Household and Social Science Department, King's College for Women, University of London.
Camden Hill Road W. March 10.

10. Muriel Ada Julius: Walking in the Lake District.
Muriel was always a woman who enjoyed the outdoors and physical activity.

11. Later life.
Photos of Muriel in her garden at Petersham and at the Petersham Flower Show 15 Jul 1933 where she is described in the local paper as its "moving spirit". Two of her dogs "Spot"
Muriel cared for her mother until the latters death, she built her home in Petersham. She always had dogs, and showed them, (in the third photo from the left Muriel is the woman in the white spotted dress).

12. Muriel Ada Julius: Her Verse on Dogs, 1938.
This book was a gift to Nancy Hadwen in 1943.

Here are a sample of Muriel's poems.

The Suburban Dog
OH take me back to the Suburbs,
To the place where I was born,
Leave the country to the dullards,
Who like to stroll through corn.
Put my feet upon the pavement,
Where scores of dogs are meeting,
It's endless entertainment
To give the usual greeting.
So take me back to Richmond,
With the Buses running round,'
Far sweeter than a Dew Pond
Is the smell of the Underground !

A Voice From Beyond
I PROMISED you that I would wait
Until we met at Heaven's Gate,
The " Hunting Grounds " are in full view
While I sit watching here for you.
St. Peter says it's not good cricket
To keep him waiting at the Wicket.
The Gate last night he opened wide,
I would not even look inside.
He lured me in with talk of rats,
And put a Trunk Call through for cats,
But naught he said could make me enter,
I turned my back upon the tempter.
He said you'd got another Pup,
But please dear Missis hurry up,
For don't forget, I've no new Missis,
There's no one here to give me kisses !
It's weary waiting here alone,
I take no pleasure in my bone,
I know you thought I'd like to keep it
But I no longer care to eat it !
I just sit watching on the stair,
And when you come you'll find me there.
'Til that day dawns, my heart goes lonely,
For as you know, I'm just yours only !

The complete anthology can be found under the Books button on this website.