McQueen Court

Rose McQueen

Born in 1881 and raised near Elora, Rose McQueen was such an excellent student that after graduation from Elora High School, she was engaged for three years as a teacher there. She left to attend the University of Toronto and, immediately upon graduation there, she was was hired by principal Charles A. Mayberry (see Mayberry Place) to teach at the Stratford Collegiate.

Rose McQueen dedicated her life to teaching English and history, and retired from the collegiate in 1946 as head of the English department. During 34 years of imparting her love of those two subjects, especially Shakespeare, she had an undeniable influence on the city of Stratford. She was a mentor to Tom Patterson (Delamere Street), founder of the Stratford Shakespearean Festival. Most of the 1952 chamber of commerce members, and the Festival steering committee they appointed, were former students.

Laura Pogson of the Stratford and District Historical Society  tells the story about McQueen's influence on Patterson this way. "Although Tom Patterson, a native of Stratford, is well recognized as the founder of the world renowned Stratford Festival producing live theatre since 1953 in his home town, he always honoured his Grade 11 English teacher at the Stratford Collegiate Vocational Institute as the inspiration behind the idea. It was the dedication that Miss McQueen had for Shakespeare’s writings and her teaching skills that inspired him to create a theatre like “the one in Stratford, England.” While many doubted such an idea could come to fruition, Miss McQueen supported Tom and encouraged him continuously through the journey. 

Once the theatre became a reality in Stratford, Tom was proud to say it was Miss McQueen who was his inspiration and, therefore, he always made certain there was a ticket for her to enjoy the amazing productions of Shakespeare’s plays here in Stratford." 

Rose McQueen had a sure and extensive knowledge of her subjects, which she imparted with illustrative and anecdotal material. She brought Shakespeare to life with historical information about the Globe Theatre and the people of his time. She succeeded in arousing her students’ curiosity and desire to learn by thoroughly covering each play and poem. The book, Rose McQueen and Stratford, by Ernest Stabler, published in 1985, records many comments to that effect about Miss McQueen. Ernest Stabler said "She knew Falstaff personally sums up the intimacy with the plays conveyed to the students ."

Miss McQueen had an abiding interest in her students' education long after their graduation. She maintained a 100-page scrapbook of their accomplishments, dating from 1931 to 1950. On several occasions, she gave financial assistance to students who otherwise could not have pursued a university education.

Though she was heavily involved in collegiate activities, she found time to participate in community affairs. In 1920, she was the first president of Stratford's Women’s Canadian Club. A month after her election, she introduced Emmeline Pankhurst, the well-known British suffragette as the guest speaker. She was also deeply involved with the YWCA supporting the work of Grace Dand, the director of the YWCA, from 1915 to 1955.  (see Waterloo Street).

In 1929, she was one of the vice-presidents of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation. She was also a member of the Stratford library board and the University Women’s Club. Much to her pleasure, she was named honorary president of the Stratford Little Theatre. 

Rose's retirement in 1946 included a dinner arranged by 150 of her students. She lived at 42 Waterloo St. She died in 1963.  Sources: Streets of Stratford 2004;  Fibergenea;  Rose McQueen: A Stratford Legend (1881-1963) – Stratford & District Historical Society: Gordon Conroy