In Memoriam: Anne Dobie Peebles, 1922-2012

Anne Dobie Peebles, the first woman to serve as rector at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, has died at her family’s farm. She was 90 years old.

Peebles graduated from the College of William and Mary in 1944 with a degree in history and American government. During her career she ran political campaigns for some of Virginia’s most successful politicians including Harry Byrd Jr., Charles Robb, and Mills E. Goodwin Jr.

In 1962, Peebles was named to the State Board of Education. She served on the board of visitors at William and Mary from 1974 to 1987. For the last three years on the board, she served as the first woman rector of the college.