Family and Social Background

Abstract

Most of the ten women grew up in families that were similar in several important ways. Apart from Annie Besant and Octavia Hill, whose father and step-father died in their childhood, all were relatively prosperous. All of them had a tradition of intellectual, moral and ‘progressive’ political interests which sustained informed discussion of the social and scientific issues of the time. Most contained between five and twelve children in the immediate family circle as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins all linked together by more or less close ties of affection and duty. All were acquainted, often through their membership of a numerous and cultivated family group, with men and women prominent in political, literary and religious affairs.