Adelaide Knight facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Adelaide Knight
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Adelaide Knight and Donald Adolphus Brown
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| Born | 1871 London, United Kingdom
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| Died | 1950 (aged 78–79) |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Suffragette, Political Activist |
| Spouse(s) | Donald Adolphus Brown |
Adelaide Knight, also known as Eliza Adelaide Knight, (1871–1950), was a brave British suffragette. A suffragette was a woman who actively campaigned for the right of women to vote in elections.
About Adelaide Knight
Adelaide Knight was born in Tower Hamlets, London, in 1871. As a child, she was often unwell and had some physical challenges. She had thumbs that were not fully formed. She also had two accidents when she was young. These events meant she had poor health for much of her life. She often needed a stick or crutches to help her walk.
Fighting for Women's Rights
In 1906, Adelaide Knight became well-known for her activism. She was a suffragette, meaning she worked hard to get women the right to vote. She was arrested along with other suffragettes like Annie Kenney and Mrs. Jane Sbarborough. They were trying to meet with H. H. Asquith, a leading politician from the Liberal Party.
The women were given a choice. They could either go to prison for six weeks or stop campaigning for a year. Even though Adelaide was not in good health, she chose to go to prison. The other women chose prison too. Annie Kenney, another suffragette, wrote in her book that Adelaide was "extraordinarily clever." This shows how smart and dedicated Adelaide was to her cause.
Her Work and Beliefs
In 1905, Adelaide joined the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU). This group was very important in the fight for women's votes. She worked as a secretary for their first branch in East London. This branch was in Canning Town.
However, Adelaide left the WSPU in 1907. She felt the group was not democratic enough. She also saw that some leaders wanted only women who owned property to get the vote. Adelaide believed that all adults should have the right to vote.
After leaving the WSPU, Adelaide joined the Adult Suffrage Society. This group believed that all adults, rich or poor, male or female, should be able to vote. She became the secretary for their Canning Town branch. She also worked as a Poor Law Guardian for West Ham. This meant she helped look after people who were poor and needed support.
Adelaide became good friends with Dora Montefiore, another activist. In 1908, they traveled to France together to speak at meetings. In 1909, Adelaide had to step down from her role as branch secretary. She was pregnant and not feeling well. She received many thank-you letters for her hard work. Later that year, she moved with her family to Abbey Wood.
In 1920, Adelaide joined the Communist Party of Great Britain. This was a political party that believed in equality for all people. She was invited to visit the Soviet Union, but her poor health meant she could not go. In Abbey Wood, she also joined the Women’s Cooperative Guild. This group helped women work together and improve their lives. She and her husband also joined the Independent Labour Party and the Workers Educational Association. These groups worked to improve conditions for working people and offer education.
Her Family Life
Adelaide Knight was married to Donald Adolphus Brown. They had four children between 1895 and 1901. Sadly, three of their children died in a smallpox outbreak in 1902. Adelaide and Donald later had another son in 1904 and a daughter in 1909.
Donald Brown (1874-1949) was a sailor. His father was from Jamaica and his mother was English. He later became a foreman at the Woolwich Arsenal. He even received a medal for his bravery there when he helped put out a fire.
Adelaide Knight passed away in 1950. Her husband had died a year before her in 1949. Their daughter, Winifred Langton, wrote a book about her parents. It was called "Courage" and was edited by Adelaide's granddaughter, Fay Jacobsen.
