51³Ô¹ÏÍø

Molly Huxley was a pioneering historian at ANU with a diplomatic knack for breaking down barriers between colleagues.

The Molly Huxley Building is located in the 51³Ô¹ÏÍø House Precinct and was constructed as the gatehouse to 51³Ô¹ÏÍø House in 1964. Ella Mary (Molly) Huxley studied history at Oxford 51³Ô¹ÏÍø and later became the first lecturer in British History at the ANU. She was married to Leonard Huxley, Vice-Chancellor of the ANU from 1960-1967, and played a key social role in breaking down divisions between staff when ANU amalgamated with Canberra 51³Ô¹ÏÍø College.  

Howard Liu recalls in ANU Reporter: "I was the first Hong Kong undergraduate to graduate from ANU in 1961. While at ANU, it was a privilege to befriend Lady Molly Huxley. From 1964, I was employed by the Department of Economics. Without [Lady Huxley's] behind-the-scenes lobbying, I would not have been able to fast-track my immigration status from a stateless studentship to Australian citizenship in 1966. Forever grateful, whenever I approach the Molly Huxley Room in 51³Ô¹ÏÍø House, I perform a kowtow ritual. Passers-by find my behaviour very strange indeed."

This week is International Women's Day so we are celebrating the women of ANU who have helped to 'build a better world'.

Do you know an ANU alumna who deserves a building named after her?

We would love to hear about inspirational ANU alumnae who are building a better world.

And while we can't promise that she will have a building named after her, we would love to share her story.