Christina Violet Butler

Christina Violet Butler (1884–1982) was a social researcher and educator active in Oxford. She was known for her 1912 study Social Conditions in Oxford which recorded the lives of working class citizens in the Edwardian city. She also taught economics, women's studies, and trained social workers in Oxford. Early life and education Butler was born at 14 Norham Gardens, Oxford on 25 January 1884 and lived there until 1949. Her father, Arthur Gray Butler, was a law and history academic at Oriel College, Oxford. Her mother worked in charitable causes involving the moral welfare of women. Her aunt was feminist and social reformer Josephine Butler. Butler was home-schooled by her parents and governess until she was 14, after which point she attended Wycombe Abbey. Butler studied modern history at Society for Home Students (later St Anne's College, Oxford) from 1903-1905 and was awarded a first-class degree, although this was not formally awarded as she was a woman. She also gained a teaching diploma at London University. In 1905, Butler gained early experience in research whilst helping her sister collect information and write sections of an article on industries for the Victoria County History. She embarked upon an economics diploma in 1906-7, largely self-taught, but with mentoring from Sidney Ball and Francis Ysidro Edgeworth. She was awarded a distinction. Career