Emmeline's Loving Comrade, Richard Marsden Pankhurst: The Man Who Inspired the Suffragette Leader

Richard Marsden Pankhurst is an obscure figure, forgotten by history because he has been overshadowed by his dazzling wife, Emmeline, the great leader of the Suffragettes.Yet their partnership as campaigners was a critical element in her development and success.Her reaction to his death in 1898 led to her decision five years later to convene the Women's Social and Political Union, popularly known as the Suffragettes. Richard's intense character and devotion to ideals made him an object of both admiration and derision.He was widely respected as an honest man who put principle before self and party.Yet in worldly terms he was a failure. As a barrister, he should have been able to provide a comfortable home life for his family, but his political extremism hindered success in his career and the family struggled to afford the life to which they aspired.Even as a political campaigner Richard failed in several attempts to enter parliament. Nevertheless his marriage to young and beautiful Emme