NORTON, Caroline, letters, autographs, documents, manuscripts


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NORTON, Caroline (1808-1877). Poet and campaigner for women's rights.
Autograph Letter (third person) to the sculptor, [Sir Richard] Westmacott (1775-1856), 1 page 8vo, 6 April no year. Apologetically cancelling an appointment for her and Lord Melbourne to view Westmacott's 'magnificent statue of the Duke of York'.
Though George Norton, Caroline's husband, had acquiesed in the warm friendship between his wife and Lord Melbourne, in 1835 he refused her access to the house, removed her children, and sued Melbourne for 'criminal conversation'. Though he lost the case, Caroline's reputation was in tatters and her financial position precarious. As a result, she campaigned, largely successfully, for a revision of the laws concerning custody of children and women's rights to own property.
[No: 23773]

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