11 Facts About Agnata Butler

Agnata Frances Butler was a British classics scholar.

Agnata Butler was among the first generation of women to take the Classical Tripos examinations at the University of Cambridge, and was the only person to be placed in the top division of the first class at the end of her third year, in 1887.

Agnata Butler married the Master of Trinity College, Henry Montagu Butler, in August 1888, becoming the leading hostess in Cambridge.

Agnata Butler published a version of Book VII of Herodotus' Histories in 1891.

Agnata Butler was born Agnata Ramsay in London on 28 January 1867, the daughter of Sir James Ramsay, 10th Baronet, of Bamff, and his wife Mary Elizabeth Charlotte, nee Scott-Kerr.

Agnata Butler came from a family with a history of academic achievement as her father published books on history, her uncle George Gilbert Ramsay was a professor of humanity at Glasgow University and her grandfather, Sir George Ramsay, published works on philosophy.

Agnata Butler was president of the debating society and, while she did not speak often, she impressed others with her eloquence and humility.

In 2006, Mary Beard wrote that "Agnata Butler Ramsey was one of the most notorious casualties of the university marriage market", as she "did very little classics ever after".

Agnata Butler's husband was friends with the poet laureate, Alfred, Lord Tennyson and, in 1892, the couple visited his home of Farringford House, where she and Tennyson discussed classical works such as the Alcaics of Horace and Sappho.

Agnata Butler recalled his scepticism about the recent discovery of Troy,.

Dear Mrs Agnata Butler, I have been solacing my journey home with your son's excellent verses which the Master was good enough to give me.