Friday 13 March 2F020 ORMIDABLE FITZROVIAN WOMEN This week we've enjoyed highlighting historical game- changers who were independent women, ahead of their time who had a lasting impact in other peoples' lives. Today's Formidable Fitzrovian women are just as inspirational proving that there's no limit to their ambition and passion for their careers and interests. We end our series with famous historical figures from Fitzrovia's eclectic past. Thursday's feature: STEM Influencers - Elizabeth Garrett Anderson and Dervilla Mitchell DAY 5: FAMOUS HISTORICAL FIGURES FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE (1820 - 1910) SOCIAL REFORMER & STATISTICIAN Florence worked on Mortimer Street, Fitzrovia at Middlesex hospital (former site of Fitzroy Place) in 1854 during one of the four major epidemics of cholera that afflicted London in the 19th century. She also led a team of nurses during the Crimean war (October 1853–February 1856). At this army hospital, she believed deaths could be reduced with improved sanitary conditions. Her nursing efforts in the war were noticed, and she received thanks from Queen Victoria. She reformed healthcare, and opened the Nightingale school for nurses in 1860. In 1907 she received an order of merit for her life-long contribution to healthcare. Image: Henry Hering / Public domain Friday 13 March 2020 VIRGINIA WOOLF (1882– 1941) WRITER AND FEMINIST Virginia Woolf (nee. Stephen) is considered to be one of the most influential modernist and feminist writers from the 20th century. Some of her critically acclaimed works are 'Mrs Dalloway' and 'To the Lighthouse'. She had a very comfortable upbringing in Kensington, with a well connected family. She moved to 29 Fitzroy Square in 1907. The square was dilapidated at the time, but she was captivated by its charm. At 29 Fitzroy Square she started her first novel, 'The Voyage Out' published in 1915. She hel literary gatherings on Thursday evenings, where she and her literary guests would have long. dramatic discussions for hours. They challenged conventions and had no inhibitions on what was discussed. Virginia married Leonard Woolf in August 1912, and continued to write thought Image: George Charles Beresford / Public domain provoking essays throughout her life. ELEANOR MARX (1855 – 1898) ACTIVIST Eleanor was a social activist, labour organiser, trade unionist, translator, actor, writer and feminist. She was the youngest daughter of Karl Marx. Eleanor complained of working hard but was always poor. She first lived in Fitzrovia at 30 Dean Street with her family. Eleanor usually complained of working hard but was always poor. She joined the Social Democratic Federation in 1884, and during her work there she met Edward Aveling. She later lived on Newman Street with Aveling, defying traditional convention as they were not married. Image: Internet Archive Book Images / Public domain Friday 13 March 2020 CAITLIN THOMAS (1913 – 1994) The Wheatsheaf Pub, Fitzrovia WRITER Caitlin was a writer and wife of poet Dylan Thomas. Aged 22, she met Dylan Thomas in a pub, The Wheatsheaf on Rathbone Place, Fitzrovia in 1936. They married in 1937. Caitlin was known to be a belligerent and rebellious character, and Dylan was known for his harsh character and treatment of Caitlin too. They had a tempestuous life and marriage, fuelled by drink but they did have three children and remained together until Dylan passed away. After Dylan passed in 1953, Caitlin spent most of her later years distressed and seeking treatment for mental health issues and alcoholism. In 1957, she published an account of her later life and life with Dylan, 'Leftover Life to Kill'. Caitlin has been portrayed many times in popular culture. Image: Ewan Munro from London, UK / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0) FANNY HEAL (1782 - 1859) FIRST FEMALE CEO OF HEAL’S Fanny became the first female of Heal's 1833 after her husband, John Harris Heal died. Heal's is a world-renowned furniture store in Fitzrovia founded in 1810 as Heal and Son. When she became CEO, the business was renamed Fanny Heal and Son and the store moved from Rathbone Place, to its current site Tottenham Court Road. With her son, they implemented the, then innovative, use of print advertising on serialised novels to reach a larger audience. At the time Heal's focussed on making French style feather-filled mattresses. Fanny built a mattress factory behind the store with her son John Harris Heal Junior. Over the years Heal's has transformed to encompass more homeware designs such as lighting, furniture and accessories, and has always championed innovative designers to keep the store at the Image: Unknown author/ Public domain forefront of homeware design. .