Josephine Butler to Rev George Butler

  • This material is held at
  • Reference
      GB 106 3JBL/15/09
  • Former Reference
      GB 106 3866
  • Dates of Creation
      11 May [1876]
  • Physical Description
      1 item

Scope and Content

Dated: Thursday night 11 May [1876]. She has decided not to go the Meeting, held by the Congregational Committee in the Memorial Hall, that night because she still has a cold. She would so much have 'liked to hear Pressense's great speech'. Mentions some of the eminent foreigners who are attending the Conference next week. She is spending the weekend at Cambridge with her son Georgie.

Administrative / Biographical History

'Tully'. This was an elder sister of Josephine Butler. Her real name was Mary Ann, but she was always known in the family as Aunt Tully. She married Edgar Garston, but had been a widow now for 3 years.

'Georgie' was Josephine Butler's eldest son. In 1876 he was appointed permanent examiner to the Civil Service Commissioners.

'Aunt Eliza' was Josephine Butler's eldest sister. Her first husband died in Hong Kong in 1853 and she later married Mr Masson. 'George and I were going to call on Louisa at 4 today ... and Frank was dining out'.

'Louisa' was a sister of Rev George. In 1853 she married Francis Galton (famous for his research into the laws of heredity). The Butlers often stayed with them at their London house at Rutland Gate. 'For our Conference of next Friday afternoon'. This was held in London on 18-19 May 1876 and was the 1st International Conference of the newly formed British Continental and General Federation for the Abolition of Government Regulation of Prostitution - the annual meeting was held on Friday the 19th. From a small beginning, the movement attracted religious leaders known throughout Europe such as Presseuse, Pere Hyacinthe and Laveleye. (See 'The Shield' 27 May 1876 p.166). This was a public meeting 'Meeting of Congregational Committee' held on 11 May at the Memorial Hall for the Abolition of State Regulated Vice. Speakers included Stansfeld and M de Presseuse, who had come over for the Federation Conference the following week. (See 'The Shield' 20 May 1876 p.158) RR no.318. Biog: Mary Ann Garston (Aunt Tully); Elizabeth Masson (Aunt Eliza); Louisa Galton; The Parkers; Presseuse; Emile de Lavaleye; Pere Hyacinthe; Madame Meuricoffre ('Hatty').