LSHG Summer Seminars 2022

Socialist History Seminars Summer 2022

[Update - both of these seminars have had to be postponed due to illness]

Below are details of London Socialist Historians seminars for the Summer Term 2022.

We have been rather constrained by meeting on Mondays and clashing with Bank Holidays this year. Once again seminars are on Zoom. We had hoped to resume in person seminars and while the IHR is allowing this, arrangements are not I’m afraid yet back to pre-pandemic times. We hope to resume some in person seminars in the Autumn term 2022.

You will need to register via the Institute of Historical Research site (free). They will send you joining details and a reminder of the seminar details the day before.

Keith Flett, Convenor

Monday May 16th 5.30pm Jane McChrystal and Anne Padfield. 'The Splendid Mrs McCheyne & the East London Federation of Suffragettes'.

Jane McChrystal writes "The Splendid Mrs McCheyne and the East London Federation of Suffragettes" tells the story of an unsung heroine of ELFS who worked tirelessly in the "back room" supporting brave women such as Nellie Cressall and Annie Barnes, whose names have lived on, in their struggles on behalf of the women, men and children of the East End. Sylvia Pankhurst wrote this about her: " All the ELFS’ members know Mrs McCheyne, for she was one of our first recruits in East London, and has always been one of our hardest workers, having served on the ELFS Social Committees and in many other ways as well as Joint Honorary Secretary in Bromley".

I first came across her name in the minutes of ELFS' committee meetings and was struck by how often she attended and, yet, how infrequently she spoke or was mentioned there. Intrigued, I resolved to find out whatever I could about her. In the course of my investigation, I was fortunate to be put in touch with her relative, Anne Padfield, who was able to tell me all about her origins, family and the life she led after ELFS.

Sylvia Pankhurst left behind a record of her years as the leader of ELFS in her collected papers, which proved an invaluable source of background material for "The Splendid Mrs McCheyne". My own research into the key political and social changes in the late nineteenth century and first half of the twentieth century provides an historical context for Rosaline's life and work, while an interview with Anne Padfield gives a fascinating insight into the woman her family knew.

Monday May 30th 5.30pm. Catherine Howe. 1848: London Story