Margaret Dorothea Rowbotham

Margaret Dorothea Rowbotham (19 June 1883 – 23 February 1978) was an engineer, a campaigner for women's employment rights and a founder member of the Women's Engineering Society. Early life and education Born on 19 June 1883 at 6 Park Villas, Plumstead, Kent, Margaret Rowbotham (sometimes known as Madge) was the daughter of John Edward Rowbotham, a shipbroker, and Miriam Anne Isaac. She was educated at Blackheath High School and graduated in 1905 from Girton College, Cambridge, where she studied mathematics. From Cambridge Training College, she received a diploma to teach. In 1935, she stated in the Register of Women Engineers that she was "one of the first six women motorcyclists". Career From 1906 to 1913 she taught maths at Roedean School for girls in Brighton. Having completing six months' training in motor engineering at the British School of Motoring, she was awarded a RAC driving certificate. This was followed by an assignment in 1914 as a teacher at Rupert's Land Ladies' College, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, where she stayed for two years. She joined Galloway Engineering Co. at Tongland near Kirkcudbright, Dumfriesshire, becoming a machine shop and works superintendent at Tongland Works beginning in 1917.