COIT, Miss Irene Williams, born in Norwich, Conn , in 1873. She is the only daughter of General and Mrs. James B. Coit. She won a reputation by success in passing the Yale College entrance examination in 1891, and is by no means insensible to the impetus her venture in knocking at the doors of Yale has been instrumental in giving to the cause of co-education in American colleges. Already that venture has been effective in modifying stringent college laws in various quarters. From her earliest school days she was proficient in her studies. She took the full classical course in the Norwich free academy and was graduated in June, 1891, with highest honors. Her determination to try the Vale examinations with the male classical students of her class, was born solely of her generous ambition. Her instructor, Dr. Robert P. Keep, arranged to have Prof. Seymour, of Yale, give Miss Coil an examination with his class. Besides her aptitude as a student, Miss Coit has long manifested a
IRENE WILLIAMS COIT.
marked literary capacity. Her first essay in the field of letters some time ago was especially successful. Since the summer of 1891 she has contributed to various newspapers and publications a variety of articles. Miss Coit comes of old New England stock. Her father. General James B. Coit, was a distinguished soldier in the Civil War. In the administration of President Cleveland he was chief of a pension bureau in Washington. Her mother, a refined and charming lady, is a daughter of A. P. Willoughhy, representing one of the oldest families in Norwich. Miss Coit lives with her parents in Norwich.