Margaret Noble was born in 1867 in Ireland and went on to become a teacher, writer, social reformer and a key figure in India’s intellectual and cultural renaissance. A close disciple of Swami Vivekananda, she dedicated her life to education, women’s empowerment and the promotion of Indian art, science and national identity. Her work left a lasting legacy, and she remains a celebrated figure in both the UK and India.

After moving to India in 1898, Margaret immersed herself fully in the country’s social and cultural life. She established a school for girls in Kolkata, championing education for those who had previously been excluded, and became a passionate advocate for Indian self-expression and independence. She worked alongside leading thinkers, scientists and artists of the time, supporting figures such as Jagadish Chandra Bose in his scientific work, and played an influential role in encouraging a renewed pride in Indian heritage during a pivotal period in the country’s history.

What is less widely known, until now, is the role her early education played in shaping the person she would become.

Margaret was educated here, in what was then the Crossley and Porter Orphan Home and School. While her later achievements are well documented, her formative years at our school have, until recently, remained largely unexplored.

That is now set to change.

We were honoured to welcome Professor Malabika Sarkar (an internationally respected academic - former Vice-Chancellor of Presidency University, Kolkata, and Ashoka University, and a Foundation Fellow of Clare Hall, Cambridge) who has carried out extensive research into Margaret’s life. As part of her work, Professor Sarkar visited the school to explore our archives, uncovering invaluable material about Margaret’s time here.

This research has culminated in a forthcoming biography:

A Real Lioness: A Life of Sister Nivedita by Professor Malabika Sarkar Published by Aleph Book Company (New Delhi) Due for publication: January 2027

This will be the first biography to include a detailed account of Margaret’s school days. Drawing on our archival records, the book features an entire chapter dedicated to her time at Crossley and Porter - offering fresh insight into the experiences that helped shape her character, values and future achievements.

Professor Sarkar describes Margaret’s school years as ‘holding the key to many aspects of her character and personality,’ and we are incredibly proud that our archives have contributed to this important new understanding of her life.

We are so pleased to see Margaret’s story continuing to be discovered and shared with new audiences around the world. We very much look forward to the publication of this book and to learning even more about such an extraordinary former student.