Cohen, Fanny

Fanny Cohen was born in Grafton, NSW and studied for the junior and senior high school examinations in Sydney at Miss Emily Baxter's School, matriculating in 1904 with the Kambala Prize for Women.

Cohen graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Arts with first class honours in mathematics in 1908, and with a Bachelor of Science with the University Medal in Geology. She was also awarded the John Coutts Scholarship to pursue studies in optical and physical crystallography. In 1911, the University awarded her the Barker Graduate Scholarship for "showing the greatest promise of success in further study in mathematics".

Between 1909 and 1911, Cohen held the position of junior (assistant) demonstrator in geology. In 1912, she joined the mathematics staff at Fort Street Girls High School; in 1926, she was appointed headmistress of St George Girls High School; and in 1929, returned to Fort Street Girls High School as headmistress.

From 1934 to 1944, Cohen represented the NSW Government as a Fellow of the University's Senate. In 1949, the Senate Fellows elected Cohen, and she served until 1959. Cohen was the Senate's representative on the Council of Women's College from 1935 to 1943 and again from 1950 to 1959.