A biography on pioneering English suffragist Clementia (Mentia) Taylor has been penned by Flinders University lecturer in Public Administration, Dr Margaret MacIlwain.

Titled ‘Mentia’, the book traces the life of the radical Liberal Victorian dubbed ‘the mother’ of the English women’s parliamentary suffrage movement.

Mentia, who lived from 1810 to 1908, advocated for women’s suffrage from her Aubrey House base in London. She garnered support from radicals, politicians and their followers in the campaign for women’s rights, ensuring participation from the working classes, and influenced many well-known 19th century poets and authors.

Her contributions included establishing the Ladies’ London Emancipation Society (which focused on anti-slavery) and ensuring its members signed parliamentary petitions for women’s suffrage. She was influential in parliament, playing a key role in decision making on the suffrage movement after her abilities were recognised by prominent philosopher in the history of Liberalism, John Stuart Mill.

Dr MacIlwain’s biography also acknowledges the contributions of earlier suffragists associated with Radical Liberal parliamentarians and Mentia’s husband Peter Taylor, who was a Leicester MP.

The release of the biography is timely, with 2018 celebrating 100 years of the vote for (some) women in the UK and celebrations planned over the year.

‘Mentia‘ is available at OpenBook Howden and has a Facebook page.