10 Facts About Eileen Power

Eileen Edna Le Poer Power was a British economic historian and medievalist.

Eileen Power was the eldest daughter of a stockbroker and was born at Altrincham, Cheshire in 1889.

Eileen Power was a sister of Rhoda Power, the children's writer and broadcaster, and Beryl Millicent Le Poer Power, a civil servant.

Eileen Power was educated at the Oxford High School for Girls, then matriculated at Girton College, Cambridge, and the Sorbonne.

Eileen Power was a granddaughter of the Rev Philip Bennett Eileen Power.

Eileen Power was Director of Studies in History at Girton College, University of Cambridge, Lecturer in Political Science at the London School of Economics, and Reader of the University of London.

Eileen Power was the first woman to be awarded the Albert Kahn travelling scholarship in 1920, despite the panel's concern that ladies 'might commit matrimony' defeating the 'objects of the trust'.

Eileen Power fell in love with China and returned several times during her lifetime.

Eileen Power was made corresponding fellow of the Medieval Academy of America in 1936, she received an honorary DLitt from Mount Holyoke in 1937.

In 1937, Eileen Power married her pupil and colleague, the historian Michael Postan, Professor of Economic History at the University of Cambridge, having previously been engaged to Reginald Johnston, tutor to the last Emperor of China, Puyi.