Cornelia Sorabji

Indian lady Cornelia Sorabji was a writer, lawyer, and social reformer who made important contributions. She was the first female student of Oxford University law and the first female lawyer in Britain and India. Sorabji was born in Nashik, India, into a Parsi family and experienced discrimination because of her gender in society. Nevertheless, she defied all obstacles to continue her studies, attending Oxford's Somerville College from 1889 to 1892. She finished her studies, but Oxford did not...See more

Indian lady Cornelia Sorabji was a writer, lawyer, and social reformer who made important contributions. She was the first female student of Oxford University law and the first female lawyer in Britain and India. Sorabji was born in Nashik, India, into a Parsi family and experienced discrimination because of her gender in society. Nevertheless, she defied all obstacles to continue her studies, attending Oxford's Somerville College from 1889 to 1892. She finished her studies, but Oxford did not allow women to receive degrees until 1920, thus she was never able to receive her diploma. In addition to her legal career, Sorabji was a writer. "Love and Life Behind the Purdah" (1901) and "Sun Babies: Studies in the Child Life of India" (1904) are two of her well-known books that showcase her dedication to social problems and her observations of Indian life and culture. The life and contributions of Cornelia Sorabji had a long-lasting influence on social reform in India and opened the door for upcoming generations of women to pursue careers in law. People who support justice and gender equality are still motivated by her legacy. See less