Originally published in 1937, this book presents short biographies of seven important women who made charitable contributions to the University of Cambridge and played an important role in the founding of several of its colleges. Sorley describes the lives of Eleanor of Castile, Elizabeth de Burgh, Marie de St Pol, Margaret of Anjou, Elizabeth Wydville, Margaret Beaufort, and Frances Sidney in elegant and readable prose, and demonstrates the power and influence that these women held and how they used it in the service of the University. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in the role of women in the formation of the University of Cambridge.