Top⇞

Ruth Page – New College’s first female Principal

Posted on by divexp-admin
Colour painting of Dr Ruth Page sat looking at the camera

© The University of Edinburgh

Dr Ruth Page served as lecturer and then senior lecturer of Systematic Theology at the School of Divinity from 1979 up until her retirement in 2000. From 1996-2000 she became the first woman to be appointed as the Principal of New College.

Dr Page’s career at the University of Edinburgh focused on a wide variety of different topics including teaching on not only the topics of theology and doctrine, but also on ecology, and on dialogues with scientists. Publishing four scholarly books including God and the Web of Creation (1979), she often devoted much time to the wider work of churches both in Scotland and overseas.

Dr Page sadly died on her 80th birthday on 15 September 2015 but her impact at the School of Divinity and the wider University continues to be felt with her painting, presented to her by Ewan McClure in 2012, hanging in the Senate Room.

Related articles

  • Colour photo of Helen Bond laughing in the Martin Hall
    The first female Head of School     In 2018 Helen Bond, Professor of Christian Origins, became New College's first female Head of School since its founding in 1846.
  • A formidable first – Elizabeth Hewat
    A formidable first – Elizabeth Hewat     Elizabeth Hewat was not the first woman to study theology at New College but she was the first female BD (1926) and PhD (1934).
  • Colour painting of Marcella Althaus-Reid
    First female professor at New College     Argentinian theologian Marcella Althaus Reid was appointed to the chair Contextual Theology. The portrait by David Martin reflects her interests in Liberation, Feminist and Queer Theology.