My aunt Barbara Megson, who has died aged 93, was an educator, historian and author. She was committed to education for everybody – particularly for people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Barbara wrote six books over the course of her life. Her best-known title, Children in Distress, co-authored with Alec Clegg, was published in 1968. She saw it as one of her most valuable works: it had a lasting impact on policy regarding children from disadvantaged areas, and was used as a teaching resource in universities for many years.
Born in Twickenham, Middlesex, Barbara was the daughter of Gladys (nee Phillips), a teacher, and Norman Megson, who became deputy director of the Royal Aircraft Establishment. She attended Lady Eleanor Holles (LEH) school in nearby Hampton, and supported it throughout her life. One of the rooms in its new building was named after her.
Despite winning a scholarship to Newcastle University to study history, she was determined to go to Cambridge University, and won a place at Girton College. LEH helped her attend with a loan from its Nora Nickalls trust fund. She began studying history in 1948, the first year that Cambridge granted degrees to women, and maintained a strong connection with Girton.
After a period as a research assistant to Professor WK Jordan, who was based at Harvard University, Barbara taught history in schools for a number of years. Her first teaching role was at Cheltenham Ladies’ college. She then moved to Yorkshire to take on a two-year traineeship in the education office of West Riding education authority. In 1969 Barbara became an inspector of schools, moving from West Riding to work across England in West Yorkshire, Kent, Birmingham, Surrey, Devon and then Buckinghamshire before retirement to Cambridge in 1990.
A fascination with history led to Barbara researching everyday life and unsung organisations. She wrote English Homes and Housekeeping, 1700-1960, and researched several City of London livery companies, publishing The Pinners’ and Wiresellers’ Book 1462-1511 (2009), The Farriers of London and Such Goodly Company: A Glimpse of the Life of the Bowyers of London, 1300-1600. She became a Freeman of the City of London in 2012, and her research came to a stop only recently, when she became physically unable to work.
She had a strong interest in music and antiques, as well as history. When she retired she became involved in the National Trust, leading tours overseas. She was also chair of the Cambridge Alumni Association, and was active in the Girton Association, the Soroptimists and the University of the Third Age.
Fiercely independent, Barbara found it difficult when she had to be looked after in the final months of her life, although she appreciated the people who cared for her.
She is survived by her younger brother, Greville, her nieces, Linda and me, and a nephew, Richard.
