Charlotte Despard (1844-1939) was a noted English suffragist. She was founder and president of The Women’s Freedom League.

Collection contains four letters. Three are written in Depard’s hand and signed. A Postcard to C.H. Grinling speaks of canvassing (7 March 1903). A letter of condolence addressed to Mr. Webb Smith (3 February 1911). A letter to Mr. Grinling reacting to statements made by Mr. Asquith in May of 1911. Despard hopes that Asquith’s remarks would incite women to “draw all the societies together in common action – our watchword being ‘On the same terms as men.’” (14 November 1911). A printed invitation to visit Mrs. Despard at home on the occasion of her 90th birthday (27 June 1934)

Collection contains a scrapbook for the 1913 Suffrage Pilgrimage, describing the route from Birkenhead to London. This is accompanied by 78-page narrative of the trip, which is keyed to the photographs in the scrapbook. Also included are two other drafts of the narrative, "A few impressions" (14 pages) and "The Suffrage Pilgrimage, July 1913" (88 pages). The scrapbook and narratives were possibly prepared by Alice Margery New. Her "Suffrage Quotation Book" that contains signatures of suffragists, including those of Constance Lytton and Emmeline Pankhurst, is also present. In addition, there is another unidentified participant's description (31 pages) of the Birkenhead to London pilgrimage, perhaps written by Alice's mother or aunt. There are five postcards related to the pilgrimage, along with a black-and-white photograph of F. W. Pathick Lawrence, who was imprisoned for his association with militant suffrage demonstrations. Finally, the collection contains an autograph book (1858-1931) containing primarily letters directed to William Newmarch, but with a few Dalby and New family items.

Collection comprises a scrapbook (96 pages) featuring primarily newspaper and magazine clippings that document the leaders, activists, actions and activities of the Women's Social and Political Union between 1908 and 1917. The unidentified compiler was likely a member of the organization, for she included handwritten labels identifying unnamed participants and often provided handwritten commentary on actions taken or the treatment of women imprisoned. In several cases, she was also able to obtain autographs of individual suffragists. Events documented include the 1913 Suffrage Pilgrimage, the memorial for Emily Wilding Davison, Rosa May Billinghurst, the Coronation procession, and the suffragist's bombing of Westminster Abbey. Other topics include what men did to get the vote; voting as a right; forcible feedings and other injuries the women sustained; marches, speeches, and gatherings of support; the work of the Pankhursts; women's activities in support of the war in Europe; the organization's offices; and international supporters of women's suffrage. Includes several items laid-in.