Which 19th century women had the biggest impact on British society?

Barbara Bodichon

Everyone has heard of Florence Nightingale but was it her cousin, Barbara Bodichon (Barbara Leigh Smith), who had the greater influence on society? Barbara features in my Marylebone walk.

Along with Caroline Norton (also well worth looking up and someone who is included in my Mayfair walk) she fought for changes in the divorce laws and fought for the right of married women to retain their earnings and own property independently of their husband.

Barbara founded the first Women’s Suffrage Committee and organised the first women’s suffrage petition that was handed to John Stuart Mill to present to parliament.

She was a pretty good painter, too!

Sign up for the Marylebone walk to discover more, particularly Barbara’s remarkable set of connections!

Ventnor by Bodichon

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