Josephine Butler
1828-1906
Northumberland National Park
Famous for:
An unsung early feminist hero, she was a 19th century social reformer who campaigned against the exploitation of women
More info:
www.josephinebutler.org.uk
Mother-of-four Josephine was determined to change laws and practices that disadvantaged women
Early life
Josephine was born in Northumberland in 1928. She was the daughter of John Grey, a well-connected wealthy landowner (his cousin was early 19th century British Prime Minister Earl Grey) who was a strong advocate of social reform. She grew up sharing her father’s principles and a dislike of inequality and injustice.
In 1852 she married George Butler, an examiner of schools in Oxford who shared her egalitarian views. Together they supported liberal causes such as the anti-slavery movement.
Focus on women
A mother of four, Josephine was determined to change laws and practices that disadvantaged women – often travelling the country to speak at campaigning rallies. Her husband supported her despite warnings her work, which included campaigning for an end to child prostitution as well as greater education rights for women, could damage his career.
The Guardian: Unsung feminist hero
Josephine Butler archive
The Josephine Butler archive is held at The Women's Library in London.
Josephine’s campaigns
She threw herself into charity and campaigning work including:
- 1867 Appointed president of the North of England Council for the Higher Education of Women
- 1868 Campaign to persuade Cambridge University provide more opportunities for women students – this eventually led to the establishment of Newnham College
- 1869 Began campaign against the Contagious Diseases Act which was intended to reduce venereal disease in the armed forces but in practice meant women in garrison towns or ports suspected of being prostitutes could be forced to have medical examinations
- 1885 Joined Florence Booth of the Salvation Army and WT Stead to expose child prostitution. This led to parliament raising the age of consent from 13 to 16
Did you know?
Today, the Josephine Butler Society campaigns against the exploitation of women in prostitution.
