Emily's Life

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The Life of Emily Hobhouse

She was the fifth of six children of Rev Reginal Hobhouse and his wife, Caroline (Trelawny).

She was the fifth of six children of Rev Reginal Hobhouse and his wife, Caroline (Trelawny).

1860

Emily Hobhouse was born on the 9th of April, 1860, at St Ive, Cornwall.

Educated by a governess at home in the Rectory, she showed at 15 that she wanted more from life:

“I envied the boys, the special tutors they had, people whose brains they had the right to pick; of whom they might ask questions.”

1875

Educated by a governess at home in the Rectory, she showed at 15 that she wanted more from life:

“I envied the boys, the special tutors they had, people whose brains they had the right to pick; of whom they might ask questions.”

Educated by a governess at home in the Rectory, she showed at 15 that she wanted more from life:

“I envied the boys, the special tutors they had, people whose brains they had the right to pick; of whom they might ask questions.”

When her father died in 1895, she left St Ive.

Shortly afterwards, she went to America, where she did social upliftment work in Minnesota and, bought a farm in Mexico.

After a failed engagement, she returned to London in 1898.

When her father died in 1895, she left St Ive.

Shortly afterwards, she went to America, where she did social upliftment work in Minnesota and, bought a farm in Mexico.

After a failed engagement, she returned to London in 1898.

1895

When her father died in 1895, she left St Ive.

Shortly afterwards, she went to America, where she did social upliftment work in Minnesota and, bought a farm in Mexico.

After a failed engagement, she returned to London in 1898.

1899

When the Anglo-Boer War broke out in 1899, Emily became involved with the South African Conciliation Committee, which was against the war.

In 1900, she established her own fund, the South African Women and Children Distress Fund.

January 1901–1 May 1901

Emily Hobhouse was an eyewitness to the British concentration camps in South Africa. While travelling between several camps, she distributed aid and collected evidence for a report.

“I can’t describe what it is to see these children lying about in a state of collapse... it is just exactly like faded flowers thrown away.”

To soften the blow of the report, the imperialists discredited her integrity as a witness. She is called a traitor, a hysterical woman, and unqualified

January 1901–1 May 1901

Emily Hobhouse was an eyewitness to the British concentration camps in South Africa. While travelling between several camps, she distributed aid and collected evidence for a report.

“I can’t describe what it is to see these children lying about in a state of collapse... it is just exactly like faded flowers thrown away.”

To soften the blow of the report, the imperialists discredited her integrity as a witness. She is called a traitor, a hysterical woman, and unqualified

1901

Her 40-page report about the conditions of the concentration camps was published on 18th June 1901 and discussed in both houses of parliament. She handed in recommendations for improvements to the Minister of War.

“That is, I think one of the worst features of war . . . the rotting away or jeopardy of Justice, Truth and Humanity.”

A Ladies’ commission is appointed to investigate the camps. Their report confirms Emily’s findings. She is not mentioned once, but it was her actions which brought the suffering and deaths to light.

Emily travels to South Africa again at the end of 1901, but she is arrested and deported.

In 1902, her book The Brunt of the War was published.

Emily travels to South Africa again at the end of 1901, but she is arrested and deported.

In 1902, her book The Brunt of the War was published.

1902

Emily travels to South Africa again at the end of 1901, but she is arrested and deported.

In 1902, her book The Brunt of the War was published.

1903

She travelled in South Africa for six months after the war in 1903 and witnessed great hunger and distress. She raised £ 10,000 for a planting and ploughing plan.

From 1905 to 1908, she stayed mainly in the country, establishing 26 spinning and weaving schools and one lace-making school.

“Is not the true way to recognise that the Spirit of Freedom in women so long smouldering has burst at length into a living flame which no earthly power can quench? It can only be met by the Spirit of true Sympathetic Justice from those in power.”

From 1905 to 1908, she stayed mainly in the country, establishing 26 spinning and weaving schools and one lace-making school.

“Is not the true way to recognise that the Spirit of Freedom in women so long smouldering has burst at length into a living flame which no earthly power can quench? It can only be met by the Spirit of true Sympathetic Justice from those in power.”

1905

From 1905 to 1908, she stayed mainly in the country, establishing 26 spinning and weaving schools and one lace-making school.

1913

In 1913, a Monument honouring the Boer women and children who died during the Anglo-Boer War was unveiled. Emily was invited to deliver the keynote address; she focuses on equality, forgiveness, and the misuse of power.

“For what really matters is character. History clearly teaches this.”

For the following years, Emily was involved in the suffrage movement and pacifist efforts during the First World War.

From 1919 to 1921, she established a large feeding scheme for children in Leipzig, raising tens of thousands of Pounds for the effort.

“For militarism cannot kill militarism, nor war end war.”

For the following years, Emily was involved in the suffrage movement and pacifist efforts during the First World War.

From 1919 to 1921, she established a large feeding scheme for children in Leipzig, raising tens of thousands of Pounds for the effort.

“For militarism cannot kill militarism, nor war end war.”

1919

For the following years, Emily was involved in the suffrage movement and pacifist efforts during the First World War.

From 1919 to 1921, she established a large feeding scheme for children in Leipzig, raising tens of thousands of Pounds for the effort.

On October 27, 1926, Emily’s state funeral was held in Bloemfontein. 20,000 people attended. Her ashes were placed in a niche at the foot of the Women’s Monument.

On October 27, 1926, Emily’s state funeral was held in Bloemfontein. 20,000 people attended. Her ashes were placed in a niche at the foot of the Women’s Monument.

1926

Emily completed two more books.

She never married or had children.

On the 8th of June 1926, at the age of 66, Emily Hobhouse died. On her death certificate the doctor noted pleuritis, heart failure and an unspecified form of cancer.

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The War Rooms Exhibition Design by KDJ won Bronze at the International Design Awards.

the story of Emily, St Ive, Liskeard,  Cornwall, PL14 3LX

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Terms and Conditions

The War Rooms Exhibition Design by KDJ won Bronze at the International Design Awards.

the story of Emily, St Ive, Liskeard,  Cornwall, PL14 3LX

Visitor Enquiries
hello@thestoryofemily.com

Press Enquiries
thestoryofemily@wildcard.co.uk

stay up to date

Sign up to our newsletter to learn more about Emily's story and to be the first to hear about seasonal events and our latest news.

Terms and Conditions

The War Rooms Exhibition Design by KDJ won Bronze at the International Design Awards.

the story of Emily, St Ive, Liskeard,  Cornwall, PL14 3LX

Visitor Enquiries
hello@thestoryofemily.com

Press Enquiries
thestoryofemily@wildcard.co.uk

stay up to date

Sign up to our newsletter to learn more about Emily's story and to be the first to hear about seasonal events and our latest news.

The Life of Emily Hobhouse

1860

“I envied the boys, the special tutors they had, people whose brains they had the right to pick; of whom they might ask questions.”

1875

“I envied the boys, the special tutors they had, people whose brains they had the right to pick; of whom they might ask questions.”

“I envied the boys, the special tutors they had, people whose brains they had the right to pick; of whom they might ask questions.”

1895

1899

January 1901–1 May 1901

“I can’t describe what it is to see these children lying about in a state of collapse... it is just exactly like faded flowers thrown away.”

January 1901–1 May 1901

“I can’t describe what it is to see these children lying about in a state of collapse... it is just exactly like faded flowers thrown away.”

1901

“That is, I think one of the worst features of war . . . the rotting away or jeopardy of Justice, Truth and Humanity.”

1902

1903

“Is not the true way to recognise that the Spirit of Freedom in women so long smouldering has burst at length into a living flame which no earthly power can quench? It can only be met by the Spirit of true Sympathetic Justice from those in power.”

“Is not the true way to recognise that the Spirit of Freedom in women so long smouldering has burst at length into a living flame which no earthly power can quench? It can only be met by the Spirit of true Sympathetic Justice from those in power.”

1905

1913

“For what really matters is character. History clearly teaches this.”

“For militarism cannot kill militarism, nor war end war.”

“For militarism cannot kill militarism, nor war end war.”

1919

1926

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