Women's Social and Political Union scrapbook, 1908-1917, undated

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Summary

Abstract:
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.
Extent:
0.9 Linear Feet
Language:
Materials in English
Collection ID:
RL.11075

Background

Scope and content:

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.

Biographical / historical:

The Women's Social and Political Union (W.S.P.U.) was the leading militant organization campaigning for women's suffrage in the United Kingdom, 1903–1917, and was a breakaway organization from the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies. Its membership and policies were tightly controlled by Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughters, Christabel and Sylvia. It was best known for hunger strikes (resulting in forced feedings), for breaking windows in prominent buildings, and for night-time arson of unoccupied houses and churches.

Acquisition information:
The Women's Social and Political Union scrapbook, 1908-1917 and undated, was received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as a purchase in 2015.
Processing information:

Processed by Alice Poffinberger, November, 2015

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Contents

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Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.

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Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Women's Social and Political Union scrapbook, 1908-1917 and undated, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.