Pethick-Lawrence, Emmeline (1867–1954)

Leader of the British women's suffrage movement. Involved in social work for several years, she joined the Pankhursts in the militant Women's Social and Political Union in 1906, and worked with them till 1912. In 1914 she joined the newly-formed United Suffragists. She was imprisoned five times for suffragist agitation. In 1913 she became joint editor with him of Votes for Women. She was invited to the USA in 1914 and helped to inaugurate the campaign which led to the political enfranchisement of US women.

She was born Emmeline Pethick in Bristol, England, and was educated at private schools in England, France, and Germany. In 1901 she married F P Lawrence (later Lord Pethick-Lawrence), editor and part owner of the London evening paper, the Echo. She wrote My Part in a Changing World (1938).