About this Event
Find out about the 1911 census boycott by suffragists and suffragettes in Scotland. When women were denied the parliamentary vote, they protested by refusing to be counted in the national census, using the line: “No persons here, only women”.
Historian Ruth Boreham will discuss the methods used, from spoiling papers to not being in their usual residence on the date of the Census.
Author Natalie Fergie will then discuss how this act of defiance inspired her new novel, ‘25 Library Terrace’.
About the speakers
Ruth Boreham works for Scottish Book Trust and is researching the 1911 census boycott in Scotland. She is also writing a biography of scientist Mary Somerville and leads women’s history walking tours.
Natalie Fergie is a writer with a passion for social history. Her novels, including ‘The Sewing Machine’ and ‘25 Library Terrace’, often focus on the domestic lives of women in the 20th century.
When you book an event, your personal information will be held and used by the National Library of Scotland and our third-party suppliers for the purposes of allowing you to attend the event and for audience research. For more information, visit the National Library of Scotland privacy pages, in particular the events notice and feedback and complaints notice. We expect attendees to behave respectfully towards presenters, guests and other audience members.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
GBP 0.00
