Catherine Osler and the development of the political and social role of women in Birmingham 1868 to 1924

Cotterill, Trevor (2025). Catherine Osler and the development of the political and social role of women in Birmingham 1868 to 1924. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

This thesis explores the development of women’s political and civic role in Birmingham in the last quarter of the nineteenth century and the first two decades of the twentieth through a study of the life of Catherine Courtauld Osler (1854-1924). Osler was an affluent middle-class woman from a radical Liberal Unitarian background who became both the President of the Women’s Section of the Birmingham Liberal Association and the President of the Birmingham Women’s Suffrage Society. She came to Birmingham in 1868 and lived in the city for the rest of her life. In 1873, she married Alfred Osler, a prominent Liberal activist and businessman. Her family connections in London enabled her to meet eminent and influential Liberal thinkers and activists including John Stuart Mill. As the mother of five children, Osler also led an active private life in addition to her public activities and engaged in extensive philanthropic work. This thesis will consider how her domestic life evidenced changes in women’s role as wives and mothers during the period. She campaigned for women’s emancipation for some fifty years and lived to witness the granting of partial suffrage for women in 1918. Her adopted city honoured her achievements by the commission of her portrait for the Museum and Art Gallery and by the conferral of an Honorary MA degree by the University of Birmingham. Although Osler is now a little-remembered figure, a primary aim of this study is to re-establish her as a major figure in the history of the city. In the course of this research, the first academic study of Osler, it became evident that the existing historiography relating to activist women in Birmingham is sparse. Concentrated exploration of Osler’s life enables an assessment of the extent of her individual success in overcoming male prejudice for the benefit of her sex. The thesis also questions the extent to which Liberal politicians in the city assisted women in their quest for political and civic recognition, particularly after the split in the Liberal Party in 1888 following the defeat of the Irish Home Rule Bill. It explores the nature of Birmingham politics and society, particularly Osler’s relationship with Unionist politicians such as Joseph Chamberlain whom Osler opposed over women’s suffrage, Irish Home Rule, the Boer War and Colonialism. This thesis also examines Osler’s success as a suffragist in attracting support for her cause in the twentieth century against the competition of the more militant suffragettes. By following Osler’s activities this thesis enables the extent of the change in the public position of women during the period to be better evaluated and understood.
The writing of this study has been made possible through the provision by Osler’s descendants of much original source material in the form of her memories and journals - documents that have not previously been accessible for historical consideration. Reviewed in tandem with newspaper reports and with archive material relating to the organisations with which Osler was associated, these sources have thrown fresh light on her activities and interactions with other family members and activists, both male and female. Aside from issues relating to women’s rights, the new material provided by Osler’s family has enabled a deeper and more nuanced understanding of her interest in both the Boer and First World Wars, her growing anti-war stance in general, her pacifist leanings and her opposition to censorship. Taken together with all other material presented, this study breaks new ground in the study of Osler in Birmingham during a period of great political and social change.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):