The University of Toronto granted its first architecture degree to a woman in 1920, establishing a milestone for Esther Marjorie Hill. Born in Guelph, Ontario, in 1895, she navigated a professional landscape where gender bias restricted employment, eventually becoming the first woman registered as an architect in Canada in 1925.
Academic Background
Hill earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Alberta in 1916. She began architectural studies at that institution until the program was discontinued, necessitating a transfer to the University of Toronto. Her education continued in 1922 with urban planning coursework at the University of Toronto, followed by study at Columbia University in New York City, where she apprenticed under architects Anna Schenck, Marcia Mead, and Katharine Budd.
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Following graduation, employment proved difficult to secure. Her initial role was as an interior designer at Eaton's department store. In 1920 and 1921, she contributed articles to the journal Agricultural Alberta, advocating for functional domestic design emphasizing natural light. Despite finding work as a drafter for the Edmonton firm MacDonald and Magoon, she faced significant systemic barriers, including a rejected application to the Alberta Association of Architects due to a lack of required experience.
Later Career and Independence
After the onset of the Great Depression, Hill supplemented her income through teaching, weaving, and creating greeting cards. She moved to Victoria, British Columbia, in 1936 with her parents. Following World War II, she established an independent practice, operating out of her parents' home. She eventually joined the Architectural Institute of British Columbia in 1953 and contributed to the city planning committee for five years, continuing her work until her retirement in 1963.
Portfolio and Legacy
Hill's architectural output included apartment buildings, churches, kitchens, and retirement homes. Beyond architecture, she participated in the Victoria Handweavers' and Spinners' Guild and earned first prize in weaving at the 1942 Canadian National Exhibition. Her professional archives, including specific drawings, are currently held at the University of Toronto.
Fast facts
- Born: 1895, Guelph, Ontario
- Died: 1985, Victoria, British Columbia
- Education: University of Toronto, University of Alberta, Columbia University
- First registered female architect in Canada: 1925
- Notable affiliation: Architectural Institute of British Columbia
- Retired: 1963
Questions readers ask
Was Esther Hill the first woman to graduate in architecture from the University of Toronto?
Yes, she was the first woman to receive a degree in architecture from that institution in 1920.
What types of structures did she design during her career in Victoria?
Her work included churches, houses, apartment buildings, kitchens, and retirement homes.
Achievements
- Trained at University of Toronto
