Case 7: Muriel Waterhouse: Convocation Robe 1919

In 2012 a piece of Queen’s history returned home, in the shape of the gown worn by Muriel Waterhouse at the time of her graduation from Queen’s, with a B.A. in English, at Spring 1919 Convocation.

At the time it was a tradition at the University, among female graduands in particular, to have classmates and fellow graduates autograph the sleeves of the gown. Perhaps she studied with Wilhelmina Gordon, the first female member of the English Department—or perhaps with Cappon, who taught a course in Canadian Literature from 1915-1919.

Muriel’s gown was generously donated to Queen’s University Archives by her daughter, Margaret McKay-Clement, herself a graduate of Queen’s (B.A. ’50).