Remarkable women in history

Elizabeth Talbot, Countess of Shrewsbury, also known as Bess of Hardwick' by Rowland Lockey. Hanging in the Long Gallery at Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire — Portrait of Bess of Hardwick by Rowland Lockey which hangs in the Long Gallery at Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire | © National Trust Images/John Hammond

Throughout history, many women have defied social convention and have helped to shape the modern world as we know it. Learn more about the remarkable women with links to the places we look after, from the political player who helped make Charles II king to the archaeologist who helped discover a 7th-century Saxon ship burial.

Alice Dryden: Historian and photographer Alice Dryden – known affectionately as ‘Miss Alice’ – lived at Canons Ashby, Northamptonshire, in the late 19th century. Her photographs of villages and village life are a glimpse at Northamptonshire in the 1880s and 1890s. She also helped set up the Home Arts and Industries Association, which promoted the revival of country crafts and campaigned to improve the lives of rural people.Discover more at Canon’s Ashby
Beatrix Potter: Beatrix Potter is best known as the creator of Peter Rabbit and other favourite animal characters. Living at Hill Top in Cumbria, she was also a champion of the Lake District, campaigner for nature conservation and protector of Herdwick sheep, and was a sheep farmer herself. She worked closely with the National Trust, helping acquire land with a view to long-term preservation.Discover more at Hill Top
Bess of Hardwick: Hardwick Hall in Derbyshire stands thanks to the drive and determination of Elizabeth, Countess of Shrewsbury, known to many simply as 'Bess of Hardwick'. A shrewd figure, she rose to become a great political power within Elizabethan society thanks to four well-placed marriages.Discover more at Hardwick Hall

Part of a portrait of Charlotte Payne-Townshend, later Charlotte Shaw, showing her hands clasped in front of her face. — Charlotte Frances Payne-Townshend, later Mrs George Bernard Shaw, by Giulio Aristide Sartorio | © National Trust Images/John Hammond

Catherine, Countess of Stamford: A strong and ambitious woman, the Countess of Stamford was a former circus bareback rider, who defied Victorian society by marrying the Earl of Stamford and Warrington. When he died, she took over the running of the household and racing stables. She's remembered as a much-loved hostess and for her work in the local community.Discover more at Dunham Massey
Charlotte Payne-Townshend: Champion of women's rights, Charlotte Payne-Townshend was a committed political activist, member of the Fabian Society and suffragette. She married George Bernard Shaw and they lived together at Shaw’s Corner in Hertfordshire. It's believed that his play, A Village Wooing, is based on their early relationship.Discover more at Shaw’s Corner
Clementine Churchill: Clementine Churchill is probably most known for being the wife of Winston Churchill, where they lived together at Chartwell in Kent. Clementine was a keen promoter of social and humanitarian causes – including women’s rights – often in defiance of her husband. Unafraid of Winston’s powerful allies or enemies, Clementine espoused liberal values and served as a cross-bench life peeress in her own right.Discover more at Chartwell
Edith May Pretty: An English landowner with a passion for archaeology, Edith paid for excavations on her land in 1938–39, which led to the discovery of the Sutton Hoo ship burial in Suffolk. This 7th-century Saxon vessel was most likely the last resting place of King Raedwald of East Anglia. Edith also donated the burial goods found on the site to the British Museum and was offered a CBE by Winston Churchill, although she refused it.Discover more at Sutton Hoo

Painting of Elizabeth Murray, Countess of Dysart, Duchess of Lauderdale, in her youth (1628-98) by Sir Peter Lely at Ham House, London — Painting of Elizabeth Murray, Duchess of Lauderdale (1628–98) by Sir Peter Lely | © National Trust Images/John Hammond

Ela, Countess of Salisbury: Lacock Abbey in Wiltshire was founded in 1232 by Ela, Countess of Salisbury. One of the most powerful women of the Middle Ages, she had previously served as Sheriff of Wiltshire and her 1225 copy of Magna Carta was kept at Lacock until 1946 when it was moved to the British Museum in London. Ela was Lacock’s first abbess, and served for 17 years.Discover more at Lacock Abbey
Elizabeth Murray: Ham House in London as we see it today was largely the vision of the Duchess of Lauderdale, Elizabeth Murray. A staunch Royalist who engaged in espionage during the English Civil Wars in support of the restoration of the crown, Elizabeth was rewarded for her services when Charles II became King. She played a key role in Restoration politics alongside her second husband, the Duke of Lauderdale.Discover more at Ham House
Imogen Clare Holst: An artistic polymath, Imogen Clare Holst CBE was an English author, composer, arranger, conductor, teacher and festival administrator. Daughter of composer Gustav Holst, she was famous for her progressive educational work and her role as joint artistic director of the Aldeburgh Festival. She stayed at Paycocke’s House, Essex, in 1923 and wrote: 'This house is a dream. And it is great fun living in a dream.'Discover more at Paycocke’s House
Mary Prince: The first black woman to publish her experience of slavery, Mary Prince helped bring the realities of slavery in the Caribbean to English audiences. Her book, The History of Mary Prince: A West Indian Slave, played an important role in the abolitionist movement. An art installation at Runnymede in Surrey marks her significant achievement.Discover more at Runnymede

Detail of one of 12 Juror chairs at Runnymede, showing a female figure writing on the back of the chair.

People in history

Discover some of the social history behind the places we care for and uncover fascinating facts about the people who have lived in them.

People's stories

An oil painting showing a female painter next to a canvas of a painting of herself

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Great women artists

Throughout history women artists have had many obstacles to overcome in order to pursue careers in the fine arts. Discover great women artists and their artworks in the National Trust collections.

1921 Census records for England on a wooden table with some conservation tools including a magnifying glass

Uncovering women's stories with Findmypast

Discover the stories of the women who lived and worked at some of the places in our care. Working in collaboration with family history website Findmypast, we've been exploring the 1921 Census of England and Wales to uncover these personal histories. From a war widow to female business owners to changes in domestic service, read their stories and also find out about the women in your family's history. By clicking this link, you’ll access a third-party website. Please see their privacy policy for how they handle your personal data.

A black and white photograph of a woman in an Edwardian-style striped dress with her hair parted in the middle and tied in a bun. She wears a thick, black fabric necklace with a heart locket hanging from it. Below her locket is a large brooch. She is holding something in both her hands but it's unclear as to what it might be.

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Fighting for (and against) women’s suffrage

Many of the places we care for were home to impassioned people who campaigned both for and against women’s suffrage. Find out about these campaigners, from Laura McLaren and George Bernard Shaw in favour, to Lord Curzon who was against it.

A charcoal drawing of a lady in her mid-30s, with curled hair and a benevolent look on her face

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Great women gardeners

Learn about pioneering women gardeners from Edith, Lady Londonderry’s rare plants and symbolism, to Kitty Lloyd Jones, one of the first women to train as a professional horticulturalist.

Lion of Judah flag raised above the house at Dunham Massey with a grass circle in the foreground and white clouds in the background

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Black histories and the National Trust

Discover the places and collections we care for that have connections to Black histories. Learn more about the people behind these connections, including the lady of the house at Dyrham Park in South Gloucestershire and an exiled emperor at Dunham Massey in Greater Manchester.