Jane Addison facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jane Addison
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|---|---|
| Born |
Jane Campbell
1771 Inverneil, United Kingdom
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| Died | 27 February 1851 England, United Kingdom
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| Other names | Jane Pocklington |
| Known for | Being the first woman to successfully petition for a full divorce in England against her husband |
| Spouse(s) |
Edward Addison
(m. 1788; div. 1801)Roger Pocklington
(m. 1802) |
| Children | 5 |
| Parent(s) | Sir James Campbell Jean, Lady Campbell |
| Relatives | Sir Archibald Campbell (uncle) Sir James Campbell, Bt. (brother) |
Jane Addison (born Campbell, later Pocklington; 1771 – 1851) was a very important woman in British history. She was the first woman in the United Kingdom to successfully ask for a full divorce from her husband. This was a big deal because, at the time, it was extremely hard for women to get a divorce, especially one that allowed them to marry again. Her case happened in 1801 and changed things for women's rights in a small but significant way.
A Pioneer for Divorce Rights
Jane Addison made history by being the first woman in the United Kingdom to get a full divorce from her husband, Edward Addison. This divorce was special because it was granted through an Act of Parliament. This meant a special law had to be passed just for her case.
Before 1857, getting a divorce was very difficult and rare. Only a few hundred divorces were granted in the UK during that time. Even fewer were granted to women. Jane's case was one of only five times a woman successfully won a full divorce against her husband before 1857. This shows how unique and challenging her achievement was.
Life After Divorce
After her divorce was finalized in 1801, Jane Addison was able to remarry. She married a wealthy architect named Roger Pocklington, Sr. on February 2, 1802. Later that year, in November 1802, they had a son, Roger Pocklington, Jr.
Jane Addison lived a long life and passed away on February 27, 1851, at the age of 80. She was buried next to her husband, Roger Pocklington, at All Saints’ Church in Winthorpe. Her grandson, Duncan Pocklington, later became a well-known first-class cricketer.
Changes for Women's Rights
Even though Jane Addison's divorce was a big step, it didn't immediately change things for all women. It was still very rare for women to gain custody of their children after a separation or divorce. Officials even said that Jane's case was an exception, not the new rule.
However, things slowly began to change. Thanks to the efforts of people like Caroline Norton, the Custody of Infants Act 1839 was passed. This law made it a bit easier for mothers to gain custody of their young children. Divorce itself became much easier to get after 1857, when new laws were introduced that simplified the process.
See also
