Lydia Ernestine Becker

garinda · 21-01-2010, 01:28

Lydia Ernestine Becker, (1827-1890)
Early woman's sufferage campaigner'
Lived in Accrington from the age of eleven to thirty eight.

Lydia Ernestine Becker was born in 1827. Her father was a calico printer
at Accrington, from 1838 to 1865, when the family moved to Manchester. In
October, 1866, she attended the meeting of the Social Science Association,
and heard the address of Madame Bodichon (Barbara Leigh-Smith). The
enthusiasm of Miss Becker was kindled to an extraordinary degree. She
formed a committee, wrote an article in the Contemporary Review for
March, 1S67, and established a society pledged to the cause of women, all
within a few months. By 1870 she was a member of the newly created School
Board of Manchester, and Editor of, and chief contributor to. The Women's
Suffrage Journal, probably the first periodical solely devoted to franchise
reform for women.

Miss Becker remained the fountain-head of the movement till her death
in 1890. The mantle of reformer then fell to another Manchester lady, of
Manx descent. The achievements of Mrs. Pankhurst, in the field of militant
agitation, were the history of our daily newspaper, until the War called for a
truce to internal strife.

garinda · 21-01-2010, 01:37

Sorry couldn't attach links to last post, extract quoted came from...

Full text of "Lancashire : biographies, Rolls of Honour"

Lydia Becker: Facts, Discussion Forum, and Encyclopedia Article

Illustration from Punch, showing Lydia bashing at John Bull's door, 1870.

Lydia Ernestine Becker (1827-1890), British advocate of female suffrage, 1870. Artist: Unknown

She was also an astomoner and noted botanist. Here's a copy of a letter she wrote to Charles Darwin in 1864, whilst living in Altham/Accrington.

Letter 4441 — Becker, L. E. to Darwin, C. R., 30 Mar 1864 :: Darwin Correspondence Project

garinda · 21-01-2010, 01:52

The earliest outstanding figure, however, is Lydia Ernestine Becker (1827-1890), descended on the mother's side from an old Lancashire family, her father being the son of a German who settled in England in early youth. She became a well-known botanist, and an intimate friend of Charles Darwin.

Women - LoveToKnow 1911

garinda · 21-01-2010, 01:59

A photograph of Lydia, and annother illustration from Punch.

garinda · 21-01-2010, 02:05

Hannibal Leigh Becker (1803-1877) was the son of Ernest Hannibal Becker (1771-1852) a German immigrant who had settled in England and become a naturalised citizen. He married Mary Duncroft and became the proprietor of first a calico-printing works at Reddish and then a chemical works at Altham in Lancashire. The couple had fifteen children. The eldest, Lydia Becker was born in the Manchester area in 1827 and was soon joined by the surviving siblings Mary, Esther, Edward, Wilfred, Arthur, John and Charles.

Records of the Becker Family including papers of Lydia Becker

garinda · 21-01-2010, 02:10

The British Botanical Competition, 1864
The third gold medalist was Lydia Ernestine Becker (1827 - 1891), daughter of Hannibal Becker, a manufacturing chemist. She was an experienced amateur botanist and published "Botany for Novices" in 1864. Shortly after this she took up the cause of women's rights and edited the "Women's Suffrage Journal" from 1870 to 1890 (Walker 2004). Plants in MANC.
University of Hull Herbarium Biographies: John Fraser (1820 - 1909)

garinda · 21-01-2010, 02:24

Anyone with access to the 1861 census, to find out their address in Altham?

garinda · 21-01-2010, 02:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda

Anyone with access to the 1861 census, to find out their address in Altham?

On the 1861 census the head of the household is her father, Hannibal S. Becker, born 1803/aged 58, and listed as a 'manufacturing chemist and farmer'.

Atarah · 21-01-2010, 20:37

Lydia Becker actually lived at Altham, and I believe the house is still there. Its called Moorside House. It stands well back from Burnley Road and is approached by what was once known as "Becker's Drive".

garinda · 21-01-2010, 22:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atarah

Lydia Becker actually lived at Altham, and I believe the house is still there. Its called Moorside House. It stands well back from Burnley Road and is approached by what was once known as "Becker's Drive".

Thank you.

I could see them listed on the census, but all the sites I tried wanted me to pay, if I wanted to see the full details and address.

garinda · 24-06-2010, 16:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atarah

Lydia Becker actually lived at Altham, and I believe the house is still there. Its called Moorside House. It stands well back from Burnley Road and is approached by what was once known as "Becker's Drive".

The house is currently for sale.

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