Laura McLaren, Baroness Aberconway
Laura McLaren | |
---|---|
Born | Laura Elizabeth Pochin 14 May 1854 |
Died | 4 January 1933 | (aged 78)
Nationality | British |
Occupation | activist, author, horticulturist |
Notable work | The Women's Charter of Rights and Liberties |
Spouse(s) |
Laura Elizabeth McLaren, Baroness Aberconway CBE, DStJ (née Pochin; 14 May 1854, Broughton, Lancashire – died 4 January 1933, Antibes, France) was a British suffragist, author and horticulturalist.
Life[]
Her birth was registered in the Salford district of Lancashire on 14 May 1854. She was the daughter of Henry Davis Pochin, a noted industrialist and chemist, and his wife, Agnes (née Heap), a leading women's rights activist.[1]
She married the journalist and Liberal MP Charles McLaren, a business associate of her father's, at Westminster on 6 March 1877. Charles McLaren was later created Baron Aberconway. They had four children.[2] Laura McLaren's two sons became Liberal MP's, Henry D. McLaren for the West Staffordshire constituency and, Francis McLaren for the Spalding constituency in Lincolnshire. Francis married Barbara Jekyll, a niece of the famous garden designer Gertrude Jekyll. He was killed in a flying accident in 1917. Her daughter Priscilla, also a noted activist and suffragist, married Sir Henry Norman and, with him, developed gardens at Ramster Hall, Surrey. Laura's other daughter, Elsie Dorothea, married Edward Alexander James Johns.
Baroness Aberconway was a campaigner for women's suffrage, founding the Liberal Women's Suffrage Union and publishing some writings on the subject. During World War I, she converted her house in London into a hospital and helped run it.
She died in 1933 at her home, Château de la Garoupe, on the Cap d’Antibes.
Awards and honors[]
In 1918, Aberconway was appointed CBE. She was also appointed Dame of Grace of the Venerable Order of St John.
Other[]
Outside politics Aberconway was a talented artist and horticulturalist. She and her husband worked to expand and improve the Bodnant Garden begun by her father. Château de la Garoupe is hailed for his beautiful garden.[3]
Writings[]
- The Women's Charter of Rights and Liberties. London, John Sewell, 1909.
- The Prime Minister and Women's Suffrage London, John Sewell, 1913.
References[]
- ^ "Lady Laura Elizabeth McLaren, Baroness Aberconway". Parks and Gardens.org. Retrieved 27 February 2015.
- ^ "Lady Laura Elizabeth McLaren, Baroness Aberconway". The Peerage. Retrieved 27 February 2015.
- ^ "Château de la Garoupe". Alexandra Lloyd. Archived from the original on 24 February 2015. Retrieved 27 February 2015.
- 1854 births
- 1933 deaths
- Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
- Dames of Grace of the Order of St John
- English gardeners
- English suffragists
- British baronesses
- McLaren family
- Victoria Medal of Honour (Horticulture) recipients
- People from Salford