Emmeline Pankhurst seated for a portrait

Suffrage campaigner Emmeline Pankhurst. Creator recorded on source page. Public domain or freely licensed; see source record.

Historical person · 20th Century

Emmeline Pankhurst

1858–1928

British suffrage leader and co-founder of the Women's Social and Political Union.

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Quick answers

What to know about Emmeline Pankhurst

Direct answers to common questions about Emmeline Pankhurst, followed by the full sourced biography.

Who was Emmeline Pankhurst?

British suffrage leader and co-founder of the Women's Social and Political Union. Pankhurst helped found the WSPU in 1903 after decades of constitutional suffrage campaigning. Its militants used disruption, property attacks and hunger strikes to force the issue into national politics, meeting surveillance and force-feeding. The 1918 and 1928 franchise acts changed women's political.

What is Emmeline Pankhurst known for?

Emmeline Pankhurst is particularly known for British suffrage leader and co-founder of the Women's Social and Political Union., Women's History.

When did Emmeline Pankhurst live?

Emmeline Pankhurst lived 1858–1928. This profile places that life within 20th Century and Women's History.

Why is Emmeline Pankhurst historically significant?

Emmeline Pankhurst's career belongs within Women's History. This career belongs within Women's History, where institutions, social forces and contemporary evidence help distinguish individual choice from later legend. The central subjects here are the events behind this summary: British suffrage leader and co-founder of the Women's Social and Political Union.

Biography

Emmeline Pankhurst: life and legacy

Overview

Pankhurst helped found the WSPU in 1903 after decades of constitutional suffrage campaigning. Its militants used disruption, property attacks and hunger strikes to force the issue into national politics, meeting surveillance and force-feeding. The 1918 and 1928 franchise acts changed women's political citizenship, though not through one organisation alone.

Life and career

Pankhurst helped found the WSPU in 1903 after decades of constitutional suffrage campaigning. Its militants used disruption, property attacks and hunger strikes to force the issue into national politics, meeting surveillance and force-feeding. The 1918 and 1928 franchise acts changed women's political citizenship, though not through one organisation alone.

Key events

1858: Born. Emmeline Pankhurst was born in 1858. 20th Century: Historical career. British suffrage leader and co-founder of the Women's Social and Political Union.

1928: Died. Emmeline Pankhurst died in 1928.

Historical context

Emmeline Pankhurst's career belongs within Women's History. This career belongs within Women's History, where institutions, social forces and contemporary evidence help distinguish individual choice from later legend. The central subjects here are the events behind this summary: British suffrage leader and co-founder of the Women's Social and Political Union.

Key moments

Timeline

  1. Born

    Emmeline Pankhurst was born in 1858.

  2. Historical career

    British suffrage leader and co-founder of the Women's Social and Political Union.

  3. Died

    Emmeline Pankhurst died in 1928.

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Evidence

Sources and further reading

  1. Emmeline Pankhurst reference searchEncyclopaedia Britannica
  2. Women's History research guidesThe National Archives
  3. Biographical records and portraitsNational Portrait Gallery
  4. Historical people and primary sourcesLibrary of Congress
  5. Historical figuresEncyclopaedia Britannica

Biographical claims are summarised from the sources above. Interpretation and disputed reputations are identified in the text rather than presented as settled fact.