Short Biography
Cornelia Sorabji was born on 15-11-1866 in Nashik in the state of Maharashtra, India. She was an Indian Lawyer, Social Reformer, Activist, Writer, Essayist & Novelist.
Cornelia Sorabji Complete Bio & Career
Cornelia Sorabji was the famous female personality who achieved glory during her lifespan, especially in the field of law. She was the first person from India to study at a British university. She studied law at Oxford University. She was the first female to graduate from Bombay University. She was raised in two different cities Belgaum and Pune. She was home taught and then attended mission schools for her education. She joined Deccan College and received Government scholarship to study in England. She denied it and joined as an English professor at Men's college on a temporary basis. She asked National Indian Association for helping her to perceive her further education. Mary Hobhouse helped her and she went to England and lived with Manning and Hobhouse in 1889.She was given special permission to appear for Bachelor of Civil Laws at Somerville College, Oxford by Congregational Decree considering the petitions of her English friends.
She came back to India in 1894 and started social and advisory work for women. She fought for the legal cases for women where they had properties on the name and need a legal person to defend it. She was unsuccessful in defending appeals made for purdahnashins by her as she was not having a professional position in Indian Legal system. This motivated her to study law. In 1897, she completed her LLB from Bombay University and Allahabad high court's pleader's examination in 1899.But during that time women were barred practicing law, so she didn't get recognized as advocate till 1923.Before 1924, she started requesting the India office to grant woman legal advisor for representing minors and women in provincial courts. She worked as a lady assistant to the Court of Wards of Bengal and later work in Bihar, Bengal, Assam, and Orissa provinces. She provided free service for orphans and women and fought the legal fights for them.
She started practicing in 1924 in Kolkata when the law was revised to allow woman practitioner in Indian Legal system. But due to male dominance in the field, she was restricted to providing opinions and was not allowed to plead before the court. In 1929, she got retired from the service and moved to London. She was connected with the Federation of University Women, National Council for Women and Bengal League of Social Service for Women. She actively participated in many social reforms in India such as laws related to widows and child marriage.
She was also a writer of many short stories, books and articles such as Love and Life Beyond the Purdah, Sun-Babies: studies in the child-life of India, Between the Twilights: Being studies of India women by one of themselves etc. India Calling: The Memories of Cornelia Sorabji and India Recalled were her biographies written by her. She used to write for periodicals like The Times Literary Supplement, The Englishman, Macmillan's Magazine, The Asiatic Review, The Statesman and The Times etc.
