 orn in Illinois, Mary Rippon studied languages and history in Europe for years before taking a position as one of the University of Colorado's first professors. She headed CU's German Language and Literature Department until her retirement in 1909. Female teachers were not permitted to marry or have children; when Rippon became involved with one of her students, twelve years her junior, she kept it a secret. The two married and had a child, but the marriage eventually failed. Rippon's dedication to her career prevented her from sharing the responsibility of raising her daughter. Even Rippon's obituary referred to her daughter only as her "friend and protege".
Mary Rippon is buried in Columbia Cemetery, at 9th and Pleasant Streets in Boulder. |
