Author Archives: rosblack

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About rosblack

I am a freelance writer & author of 4 social history books, featuring female social reformers of the late 19th and early 20th century. In a previous life I managed a housing charity. I also give talks.

How the British Women’s Temperance Association was founded – encouraged by a visiting American, Eliza Stewart

Posted on March 6, 2012 by rosblack

Eliza Stewart, or “Mother Stewart” as she liked to be known, was another lady with a talent for humanity. She had worked tirelessly during the American Civil War as a nurse, setting up hospitals and ensuring adequate supplies of food, … Continue reading →

Posted in A Talent for Humanity, alcohol abuse, Temperance | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Talks in 2012

Posted on February 22, 2012 by rosblack

I enjoy giving talks about Lady Henry Somerset and her work, so if you belong to a group which is looking for speakers, please get in touch. Some forthcoming talks include: Saturday 25th February 2.30pm at Reigate Priory Museum Society, … Continue reading →

Posted in Duxhurst, Duxhurst - Surrey's Lost Village, Eastnor castle, G.F. Watts, Lady Henry Somerset, Reigate Local History, Reigate Priory, Reigate priory Museum, Surrey Local History, talks and book signings | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF LADY HENRY SOMERSET AND FRANCES WILLARD, FRIENDS ACROSS THE OCEAN

Posted on November 1, 2011 by rosblack

One of the most rewarding aspects of researching the life and work of Lady Henry Somerset has been making contact with academics and researchers on the other side of the world. This summer it has been my great pleasure to … Continue reading →

Posted in Duxhurst, Feminism, Lady Henry, Lady Henry Somerset, Reigate Local History, Reigate Priory, Temperance, Victorian Do-Gooders, World Woman's Christian Temperance Union | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Violet’s story

Posted on October 10, 2011 by rosblack

One of the most wonderful characters in the Duxhurst story (and it has a few)  is Violet Anthony. Violet arrived at Duxhurst just seven months old, early in 1917, at a time when many babies, orphaned or illigitimate, were being cared … Continue reading →

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Lady Henry Somerset and Frances Willard and their relief work during the Armenian crisis of the 1890s

Posted on October 3, 2011 by rosblack

Lady Henry Somerset (standing) and Frances Willard Lady Henry Somerset and Frances Willard, the American temperance leader, had much in common – including a poor taste in hats, it would seem from this old photograph. The 2 women did not … Continue reading →

Posted in A Talent for Humanity, Feminism, Lady Henry, Lady Henry Somerset, Recreational pursuits, Reigate Local History, Reigate Priory, religion, Victorian Do-Gooders | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Lady Henry Somerset portraits by George Frederick Watts

Posted on August 18, 2011 by rosblack

George Frederick Watts was a critically acclaimed Victorian painter who was extremely well connected. His portrait of Lady Henry Somerset which appears on the cover of my biography hangs at Eastnor Castle. There you will also find other family portraits … Continue reading →

Posted in A Talent for Humanity, G.F. Watts, Lady Henry, Lady Henry Somerset, Out and About, Victorian Do-Gooders | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

TODAY’S PROBLEMS WITH DRINK AND DRUG ABUSE ARE NOT NEW

Posted on August 2, 2011 by rosblack

With the recent death of Amy Winehouse and the acknowledgement (somewhat belatedly) that liver problems amongst the 20 and 30 year olds are on the increase, we must ask ourselves whether society has really learnt anything over the last 120 … Continue reading →

Posted in Duxhurst, Duxhurst - Surrey's Lost Village, government policy on alcohol, Lady Henry, Lady Henry Somerset, rehabilitation, Reigate Local History, Surrey Local History, Temperance, Victorian Do-Gooders | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Review of A Talent for Humanity and Duxhurst – Surrey’s Lost Village

Posted on August 2, 2011 by rosblack

Received from Suzanne Harrison, Reigate: “I read Ros Black’s book and was as intrigued as the author about the incredible life of Lady Henry Somerset and the village she created for women with alcohol problems, and disadvantaged children. Her book … Continue reading →

Posted in A Talent for Humanity, Duxhurst, Feminism, Lady Henry, Lady Henry Somerset, Reigate Local History, Surrey Local History, talks and book signings | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Lady Henry Somerset and St Rita, patron of the impossibles

Posted on August 1, 2011 by rosblack

Figure of St Rita from Lady Henry Somerset’s Duxhurst Cottage Amongst all the religious imagery Lady Henry Somerset had in The Cottage, her home in the Duxhurst village, was a small figure of St Rita – very appropriately the Patron … Continue reading →

Posted in Anglo-catholicism, Duxhurst, Lady Henry, Lady Henry Somerset, Reigate Local History, religion, Ritualists, Saints, St Rita, Surrey Local History, Temperance | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Talks and book signings

Posted on July 19, 2011 by rosblack

I really enjoy giving talks to local groups and sharing my enthusiasm for local history and of course the wonderful story of Lady Henry Somerset. I often pick up new pieces of information from those attending. For instance, when I … Continue reading →

Posted in Duxhurst, Feminism, Lady Henry, Lady Henry Somerset, Out and About, Reigate Local History, Reigate Priory, Surrey Local History, talks and book signings, Temperance, Victorian Do-Gooders | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment