Our History

Our History Archive, where history comes to life

Articles

What not to say to someone who has depression

Some people offer advice to depressed people without understanding how depression works. The advice usually comes from a well-meaning place, but the words used can hurt the sufferer. Understanding …

Sybil Phoenix OBE – community leader

Sybil Phoenix is a community leader who has devoted her life to helping other people, especially in Lewisham, the town she made home. Early years She was born Sybil Theodora Marshall on 21 June …

A vote of her own

6 February 2018 marked 100 years since the Representation of the People Act 1918 – the act which allowed some women in the UK the right to vote. This was a major landmark in the history of our …

Edith Lanchester – socialist and feminist

Lewisham’s famous women: Edith Lanchester (1871-1966) Many people know of the famous Catford born actress Elsa Lanchester, but what do you know of her socialist and feminist mother, …

Women’s suffrage movement in Britain

In the nineteenth century, women had no place in national politics. They were not eligible to run for Parliament and were not even allowed to vote. The assumption was that women did not need to vote …

Eleanor Marx – socialist campaigner

Lewisham’s famous women: Eleanor Marx (1855 – 1898) Although commonly remembered as the daughter of Karl Marx, Eleanor Marx achieved a great deal in her own right as a feminist, a socialist, a …

Marie Lloyd – music hall star

Lewisham’s famous women: Marie Lloyd (1870-1922) Marie Lloyd is considered to be the greatest and most popular of the music hall artists. She lived for several years in Lewisham between 1887 …