Florence Miller (writer) facts for kids
Florence Fenwick Miller (1854–1935) was an important English journalist, writer, and social reformer. She lived in the late 1800s and early 1900s. For four years, she was the editor and owner of The Woman's Signal, a very important magazine for women's rights.
Contents
Biography
Early Life and Education
Florence Fenwick Miller was born in 1854. Her father, John Miller, was a sea-captain. Her mother was Eleanor Miller. Florence was taught at home when she was a child.
In 1871, she started studying medicine at the University of Edinburgh. This was just after the "Edinburgh Seven", a group of the first women allowed to study medicine there. However, like the "Seven," Florence could not finish her medical degree. The university decided not to give medical degrees to women at that time. In 1873, she earned a certificate in midwifery (helping with childbirth) from the Ladies' Medical College in London.
A Voice for Change
Even though she trained in medicine, Florence soon became a public speaker and writer. She gave talks on literature and social reform. She spoke in London and all over the country. She was one of the first people to strongly support women's suffrage, which meant women getting the right to vote. In 1889, she helped start the Women's Franchise League with Emmeline Pankhurst.
Writing and Editing
Florence Fenwick Miller also wrote a lot. She was a journalist and wrote both fiction and non-fiction books. She wrote for many magazines, including Fraser's Magazine and Belgravia. For 32 years, starting in 1886, she wrote a column called 'Ladies' Notes' for the Illustrated London News.
In 1892, she became the editor of two magazines for people living in colonies: Outward Bound and Homeward Bound. From 1895 to 1899, she took over and edited The Woman's Signal. This was a leading magazine for women's rights. She later wrote for Daily News.
When she became editor of The Woman's Signal, Florence changed its motto. It became "A Weekly Record and Review devoted to the Interests of Women in the Home and in the Wider World." This allowed her to write about fashion, motherhood, and home life. But she also continued to inform women about "progress in the cause of the equal rights and the general advancement of women."
Fighting for Women's Rights
Florence Fenwick Miller spent much of her life working for the Women’s suffrage Movement. In 1883, she led a meeting about the "New Reform Bill." This bill aimed to give women the right to vote in Parliament on the same terms as men. Fenwick Miller gave five lectures called ‘Women’s Work in the World’ in July and August 1883. Later that year, she gave more talks, including ‘Women and The New Reform Bill’.
She also traveled internationally to speak about women's suffrage. In 1893, she visited Chicago for the World's Columbian Exposition and the World's Congress of Representative Women. She went again in 1902 for the International Council of Women. Her international connections linked her with important American suffragists.
Public Service and Impact
Miller also worked directly for social reform. In 1876, at just 22 years old, she was elected to the Hackney division of the London School Board. This board was in charge of local education. She served from 1877 to 1885.
Frederick Rogers, who also served on the board, described her:
Young, good-looking, brilliant and daring enough to talk frankly on public platforms on matters relating to physiology - it required a tremendous courage to do this in the seventies - and very much of a demogogue, Mrs. Miller in those days enjoyed a popularity which whilst it lasted, was one of the most remarkable incidents of the time. The Commonwealth Club in Bethnal Green was packed to suffocation when she lectured on physiology.
Like Elizabeth Garrett Anderson, who served before her, Florence Fenwick Miller was married while serving on the board. She also went through pregnancy and childbirth as an elected member.
Florence Fenwick Miller was married to Frederick Alfred Ford. They had two daughters, Irene and Helen. Irene became an activist for women's rights and was even imprisoned. Florence and Frederick later separated.
Florence continued to use her own name after marriage. This was unusual at the time. Some people tried to remove her from the London School Board because they said she was using an "illegal name." But Miller won the case. This case set an important rule: women did not have to take their husband's last name after marriage.
In 1882, Florence Miller, Helen Taylor, and Elizabeth Surr brought attention to problems at St. Paul's Industrial School. An investigation was started, and the school was ordered to close.
Florence Fenwick Miller passed away on April 24, 1935, in Hove, Sussex.
Works
Florence Fenwick Miller wrote many books. Some of her notable works include:
- Anatomy books:
- The House of Life (1878)
- An Atlas of Anatomy (1879)
- Animal Physiology for Elementary Schools (1882)
- Social reform books:
- Readings in Social Economy (1883)
- Biographies:
- Harriet Martineau (1884)
- Fiction:
- Lynton Abbott's Children (1879, 3 volumes)
