Edith Hacon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Edith Hacon
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"Mrs Amaryllis Robichaud" – detail of an 1896 painting by Charles Conder
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| Born |
Edith Catherine Mary Dolores Broadbent
1875 |
| Died | 25 August 1952 |
| Other names | Ryllis Llewellyn Hacon ; Edith Catherine Robichaud; and earlier in her life Muriel Broadbent |
| Organization | National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies |
| Known for | Suffragist, World War One nursing service volunteer, socialite |
| Spouse(s) | William Llewellyn Hacon |
| Awards | Silver Medaille des Epidemics (France); British War Medal; British Victory Medal |
Edith Hacon (1875 – 25 August 1952) was a Scottish woman known for many things. She was a leading suffragist from Dornoch, which means she worked for women's right to vote. She also volunteered as a nurse during World War I, and was a well-known person in society. She was also known as Rhyllis Llewellyn Hacon and later Mrs "Amaryllis" Robichaud.
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Edith Hacon's Life Story
Edith Catherine Mary Dolores Broadbent was born in 1875. Sadly, her parents died when she was still young. In her 20s, Edith became a socialite in London, meaning she was active in high society. She was known by the name "Amaryllis" and later "Muriel." She met many famous people, including writers like Oscar Wilde and artists like Aubrey Beardsley.
Edith married William Llewellyn Hacon, who was a lawyer and art collector. After their marriage, she became known as Rhyllis Llewellyn Hacon. She also became a Roman Catholic.
Homes and Friends
Because her husband loved golf, they built a house called Oversteps in Dornoch, Sutherland. This house was built in the Arts and Crafts style. Today, it is a nursing home. Edith later shared this home with her friend, Margaret Davidson, who was also a suffragist and a teacher.
Both Edith and Margaret volunteered at a women's hospital during World War I until 1917. They also became Girl Guide leaders in 1931.
In 1928, Hacon and Davidson took part in the Dornoch Pageant. This event celebrated 300 years since Dornoch was given its Royal charter by King Charles I in 1628.
The Hacons also had a home in Dieppe, France. They hosted famous artists there, like Toulouse Lautrec. The artist Charles Conder visited Dornoch in 1896 and painted a portrait of Edith called On the Shore at Dornoch. This painting is now in Aberdeen Art Gallery. Another portrait of Edith, titled 'The lady with the green fan', was painted by Charles Haslewood Shannon and is in Dublin City Gallery.
In 1912, the Prime Minister, H.H. Asquith, stayed at Oversteps during his yearly holiday in Scotland.
William Llewellyn Hacon passed away in 1910.
Later Life and Marriages
After her first husband's death, Edith did charity work in Shetland in 1912–1913. She helped young Irish fisher girls who traveled with the fishing fleet. She even helped build a rest home for them called 'The White Rest'.
In 1918, Edith married William Robichaud, a Canadian soldier. They met while she was volunteering at the Scottish Women's Hospital at Royaumont in France. William later became a timber merchant.
Edith Hacon died on 28 August 1952 in Glasgow. She is buried next to her first husband, William Llewellyn Hacon, in Dornoch.
Edith Hacon's Work for Women's Rights
Edith Hacon was a strong supporter of women's right to vote. This movement was called suffrage.
In 1912, she helped start the Women's Liberal Association in Dornoch and became its president. This group invited leaders from Scottish women's organizations to Dornoch. They encouraged local people to support women getting the right to vote.
By 1914, Hacon became the vice-president of the Dornoch branch of the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies (NUWSS). She reported that half of the voters in the area had signed a petition supporting women's suffrage. This was during a special election in the Northern Burghs.
Under her leadership, the NUWSS group grew to 60 members. They often had speakers from national suffrage groups visit them.
Edith Hacon's Role in World War One Nursing
When World War One began, Edith Hacon and Margaret Davidson volunteered to help. They joined Dr. Elsie Inglis's Scottish Women's Hospital at Royaumont in France. Edith started as an orderly, helping with general tasks.
Soon, 'Mrs. Hacon' became the housekeeper, in charge of keeping things running smoothly. She supervised the kitchen and the seamstress work, making and fixing uniforms for the staff and patients. She also helped keep spirits high by organizing hockey matches and tea parties. She even made a rag doll for a wounded soldier.
Edith served for three years. For her service, the French Government gave her a Silver Medal called the "Medaille des Epidemics". She also received the British War Medal and the Victory Medal from Britain.
Because Edith was a Roman Catholic, her name was not included on the World War One Role of Honour plaque at Dornoch Cathedral. Her friend Margaret Davidson, however, was listed there.
