WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE COLLECTION
from Manchester Central Library

Part 1: Lydia Becker and the Manchester Society for Women’s Suffrage
(M50/1/1-18)

In 1870 Lydia Becker founded the Women's Suffrage Journal and she continued as Editor until 1890. From 1867 up to her death in 1890 she was the driving force behind the Manchester Society for Women's Suffrage. From 1881 she was Secretary of the Central Committee of the National Society for Women's Suffrage and in 1887 she was elected President of the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies.

This collection includes:

- Excellent correspondence from Emily Davies, Henry Fawcett, Millicent Garrett Fawcett, Josephine Butler, Laura McLaren, Frances Power Cobbe and Priscilla Bright McLaren (they discuss at length important issues with Lydia Becker and other colleagues in the Suffrage Movement).
- Lydia Becker's Letter Book, 21 March - 29 November 1868.
- Lydia Becker's own copies (sometimes annotated) of the Women's Suffrage Journal ( the official organ of the National Society for Women's Suffrage published on a monthly basis)
- The Common Cause, edited by Mrs F T Swanwick - issues for 1909-1912
- Circulars produced by Lydia Becker
- Press cuttings (8 volumes covering the Suffrage Movement, 1867-1897)
- Papers of the Manchester Society for Women's Suffrage, including Minutes of the Executive Committee, 1912-1914, and Annual Reports, 1868-1919
- Papers of Margaret Ashton and the International Woman Suffrage Alliance, 1908-1913

Scholars can use this archive in conjunction with Audrey Kelly's study Lydia Becker and the Cause (Centre for North-West Regional Studies, 1992).

Please note: The Manchester Society for Womens Suffrage, 1867-1919, was originally called the Manchester National Society for Womens Suffrage (1867 - 1897) and then the North of England Society for Womens Suffrage (1897 - 1911)