Erection date: 19/10/2018
Emmeline Pankhurst, 1858 - 1928, and her daughters, Christabel and Sylvia, founders of the suffragette movement, lived in a house on this site, 1888 - 1893.
Marchmont Association
Unveiled by by Dr Helen Pankhurst, Sylvia's great granddaughter.
Site: Emmeline Pankhurst and daughters (1 memorial)
WC1, Bernard Street, Principal London Hotel
The CNJ reports that "In 1891, a three-night conference of the Women’s Franchise League was held at 8 Russell Square." And reminds us that the whole Pankhurst family lived here, including Emmeline's husband Richard and their other daughter Adela. We understand that Henry, the only son of the family had died, aged 4, just before they moved here.
When the Bedford Estate was developed this (east) side of Russell Square was the first side to be built, 1800-17. Number 8, being on the corner was a little grander than the other houses, as can be seen in this 1895 map. In 1894-8 this entire section of Russell Square was demolished and replaced with the ornate Hotel Russell, under which name it traded until, newly renovated, it reopened in April 2018, as the Principal Hotel.
Our thanks to our colleague Alan Patient for these photos.
