Kathleen Lower Explained

Florence Kathleen Lower OBE (10 July 1905 – 21 June 1995) was Lord Mayor of Oxford in 1965–66. Lower was the first woman to be Lord Mayor of Oxford.

Early life

Florence Kathleen (known as Kathleen, and, informally, Kitty) Coppard was born in Brighton in 1905 to James Coppard & his wife Florence (née Ranger).^{[1] [2]}

Alderman and Lord Mayor

Lower was a Labour Alderman, and was the first woman to be elected Lord Mayor for the year 1965–66. Four women had previously been Mayors of Oxford, before the office was raised to that of Lord Mayor in 1962.^[2]

Lower had the honour of driving the last steam railway engine (6998 Burton Agnes Hall) to leave the Oxford depot in 1966.^[3] She was awarded the OBE in 1966.^[4]

Personal life

Lower married Marcus Lower (1900–1986) in 1929.^[5] They had one son, Alan.^[5] Marcus Lower was Mayor (before Oxford was elevated to having a Lord Mayor) in 1955–56.^[5] She died in Cornwall in 1995, aged 89.^[6]

Notes and References

1. GRO, Brighton district registry, Vol 2b, p 197, September 1905 quarter.
2. Web site: Lord Mayors . 2 April 2024 . Oxford History.
3. Web site: 25 January 2016 . Well-connected city was a rail paradise for steam enthusiasts . 2 April 2024 . Oxford Mail.
4. United Kingdom list:
5. Web site: Marcus Lower . 2 April 2024 . Oxford History.
6. GRO, Penzance district registry, Vol 44C, p 017, June 1995 quarter.