‘Dr David Widgery (1947 – 1992) practiced locally as a GP. As a Socialist and a writer, his life and work were an inspiration in the fight against injustice.’ – Memorial plaque – St Anne’s church, Limehouse, London. David Widgery’s activism spanned a period that included the revolutionary changes of the 1960s, through to the … Read more
Margaret and Norah O’Shea were sisters and suffragist activists. They were the children of Rodney and Elizabeth O’Shea. Margaret, the third child, was born in 1860 and Norah, the sixth child, was born in 1865. From looking at the census returns it is clear that both sisters lived privileged lives before the First World War. … Read more
Leila Rendel (1882-1969) was a social worker and children’s campaigner. She co-founded the Caldecott Community, a pioneering boarding school, which cares for distressed and vulnerable children. Rendel came from a well-connected London family. Her father was William Rendel, a civil engineer, and her mother was the daughter of a well-known Victorian publisher, Kegan Paul. Rendel … Read more
Although accounts of the suffrage campaign often focus on major cities, such as London and Manchester, it was a national movement. All three of the most prominent societies: the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies (NUWSS), the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU), and the Women’s Freedom League (WFL) had branches across the country. Gravesend … Read more
Throughout British history, those fighting in the armed forces have often experienced violations of their human rights. Until the nineteenth century this was rarely considered an important issue. However, since the nineteenth century, the small area of Easthampstead in Berkshire has produced several people who have stood up and fought for these rights, including John … Read more
At the beginning of the twentieth century, there were several organisations campaigning for women’s right to vote in Portsmouth. The most prominent one was the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies (NUWSS), with the local branch established in 1909. Other local societies also involved in the suffrage movement included the Women’s Labour League, the Conservative … Read more
George Orwell, or Eric Arthur Blair, (1903-1950) was one of the UK’s most prolific and influential political writers, perhaps best known for his dystopian novel 1984 (1949), which topped the best-seller list again on the election of President Donald Trump. However, Orwell’s activism wasn’t limited to the pen and typewriter. This armchair warrior fought in … Read more
John Enoch Powell (1912-1998) was a man of many talents. Known in childhood as ‘the professor’ for his intelligence, Powell fulfilled this prophecy at the early age of 25 when he became a professor in Ancient Greek while living in Australia. When the Second World War broke out, he enlisted into the military, serving in … Read more
In 1913, the Cat and Mouse Act was passed by the British government. The law established what was to be, in effect, a revolving door policy: suffragettes who went on hunger strike in prison could be released temporarily for a few days to recover their health, after which they would be re-arrested to finish their … Read more
‘Swing’ was a movement led by impoverished labourers. They took action by machine-breaking and arson, campaigned for increased wages, and called for more generous poor relief. In 1829 there was a wet summer and autumn, which led to record applications for poor relief. An extremely cold winter meant that there was no outdoor employment. The … Read more
