Alger was born on 4 February 1838 at
Diss,
Norfolk, she was one of several daughters of John Alger, a corn merchant, and his wife Jemima (born Goldworth). Her only brother was the journalist
John Goldworth Alger. Her brother went to school and he was writing for the
Norfolk News at age sixteen. She had a varied private education and she taught in private schools. She became the first headmistress of the
Girls' Public Day School Company (GPDSC) (later Trust) fifth school at Clapham when she was 37. The GPDSC was transforming education for girls in Britain and Alger became one the trusts major assets, despite lacking the formal academic training of other heads. In 1878 she was moved to Sheffield taking with her Miss E.Woodhouse. The
Sheffield High School thrived and Miss Woodhouse was left there as head as Alger was again moved the same year to another school planned by the company for Dulwich. She enjoyed thanks from the Sheffield students but it is Woodhouse who is usually credited as the first head. == References ==