British Women's Temperance Association
Encyclopedia
The British Women's Temperance Association (BWTA) was founded following a meeting in Newcastle upon Tyne
in 1876 featuring American temperance activist "Mother" Eliza Stewart
. Margaret Bright Lucas
, who toured with Stewart during these meetings, was elected BWTA president in 1878. A follower of American temperance since visiting the country in 1870, where she was warmly received as "John Bright
's sister", she also supported peace and anti-prostitution work, and served on the executives of the National Society for Women's Suffrage
and the Ladies' National Association. Her main concern being temperance, she remained BWTA president until her death.
The BWTA achieved greater success under her successor, Lady Henry Somerset, but ultimately British temperance was destined to achieve less than its American counterpart. Lucas was however, an important link in the Anglo-American women's reform networks as well as being a pioneer in British women's temperance.
Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
in 1876 featuring American temperance activist "Mother" Eliza Stewart
Eliza Daniel Stewart
Eliza Daniel Stewart, , was an early temperance movement leader. In 1872, she urged wives of "drunkards" to sue alcohol dealers and may have been the first proponent of what are now known as server liability laws. The next year she organized the first Women's Temperance League. In 1874 she played a...
. Margaret Bright Lucas
Margaret Bright Lucas
Margaret Bright Lucas was a temperance activist and suffragist.-Biography:Margaret Bright was born on 14 July 1818 at Rochdale, Lancashire...
, who toured with Stewart during these meetings, was elected BWTA president in 1878. A follower of American temperance since visiting the country in 1870, where she was warmly received as "John Bright
John Bright
John Bright , Quaker, was a British Radical and Liberal statesman, associated with Richard Cobden in the formation of the Anti-Corn Law League. He was one of the greatest orators of his generation, and a strong critic of British foreign policy...
's sister", she also supported peace and anti-prostitution work, and served on the executives of the National Society for Women's Suffrage
National Society for Women's Suffrage
The National Society for Women's Suffrage was the first national group in the United Kingdom to campaign for women's right to vote. Formed on 6 November 1867, by Lydia Becker, the organisation helped lay the foundations of the women's suffrage movement, furthered later by the National Union of...
and the Ladies' National Association. Her main concern being temperance, she remained BWTA president until her death.
The BWTA achieved greater success under her successor, Lady Henry Somerset, but ultimately British temperance was destined to achieve less than its American counterpart. Lucas was however, an important link in the Anglo-American women's reform networks as well as being a pioneer in British women's temperance.