I was gifted this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.
The Author
Jane McChrystal is a writer and independent researcher on social history, literature and the visual arts.
The Book
Drawing on the papers of Sylvia Pankhurst, an extensive interview with Rosaline McCheyne’s descendant, Anne Padfield, and her research into the history of East London, Jane McChrystal presents us with a portrait of a woman caught up in momentous events, who could all too easily have disappeared with a trace.
Review
Many everyday women were part of the suffragette movement, and this book helps to fill in understanding on how they were able to play a part whilst still having other responsibilities.
After researching Mrs McCheyne, Jane McChrystal had a chance meeting with Anne Padfield, a descendant of the family. Anne was able to fill in gaps with family knowledge from Mrs McCheyne’s daughter, Georgina. Anne had known Georgina, and on researching her ancestor, came across an exhibition on the East London Federation. This led to an interview and a combining of research which has been put in this book.
The Splendid Mrs McCheyne is not a narrative story on her life. Rather, it consists of a transcript of conversation between Jane and Anne, and research about the the East London Federation of Suffragettes that she was a part of. The transcript is well referenced with the research, which allows the reader to dip in and out at various points.
This book can certainly be an excellent reference for family historians who are interested in the suffrage movement.
The book can be purchased here.
This article was originally published on Medium.
Charlotte Clark 