Harry William Hobart (1854-1941) was a lifelong social democrat. Heavily involved with trade unions, he took part in many of the attempts that took place at the end of the nineteenth century to gain better rights and protections for workers. Hobart was born in Walworth, south east London. His interest in radical politics seems to … Read more
In the seventeenth century, Hampden emerged as a powerful influence in the struggle between Charles I and Parliament that culminated in the English Civil War. Background Born in 1594, John Hampden was the eldest son and heir of William Hampden of Buckinghamshire, and Oliver Cromwell’s cousin. Raised as a Protestant, he was educated at … Read more
‘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
Address to the Women of Portsmouth, July 1870 In the second half of the nineteenth century, British feminists expressed concern about the sexual double standard. One of their greatest victories was the repeal of the Contagious Diseases Acts (CDAs) in 1886. The first Act was passed in 1864, followed by others in 1866 and 1869. … 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
Although there were a number of organisations fighting for women’s suffrage in Portsmouth, the area was also home to branches of the Women’s National Anti-Suffrage League (WNASL). This organisation was formed in July 1908 in response to the perceived growing threat of support for the suffrage cause. The newly-elected (and anti-suffrage) Prime Minister Asquith challenged … Read more
