Emily Davison

Emily Wilding Davison (11 October 1872 – 8 June 1913) was born in Blackheath in southeast London on. She studied at Royal Holloway College and at Oxford University, although women were not allowed to take degrees at that time.

In 1906, she joined the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU), founded by Emmeline Pankhurst. Three years later she gave up her job as a teacher and went to work full-time for the suffragettes. She was frequently arrested for causing a public disturbance and burning post boxes. She spent a number of short periods in jail.

In 1909, she was sentenced to a month's hard labour in Strangeways Prison in Manchester after throwing rocks at the carriage of chancellor David Lloyd George. She attempted to starve herself, and resisted force-feeding. A prison guard, angered by Davison's blockading herself in her cell, forced a hose into the room and nearly filled it with water. She sued the wardens of Strangeways, and was awarded 40 shillings.

By 1911, Davison was becoming increasingly militant. On 4 June 1913, she ran out in front of the king's horse as it was taking part in the Epsom Derby. Her purpose was unclear, but she was trampled on and died on 8 June – at the age of 40 – from her injuries.^[1]

Emily Davison Media

Emily Davison wearing her Holloway brooch and hunger strike medal, c. 1910–1912
The English suffragette Emily Davison, on her graduation in 1908
A suffragette being force-fed in Holloway prison, c. 1911
The suffragette Emily Davison in c. 1912-13
Newsreel footage of the 1913 Epsom Derby from Pathé News. The events involving Davison occur between 5:51 and 6:15.
The return stub of the ticket Davison used on her journey to Epsom
Part of Davison's funeral procession
Davison towards the end of her life, showing the effects of hunger strikes and force feeding^[2]
Plaque to Davison at Epsom Downs Racecourse
Davison's statue in Epsom High Street, by Christine Charlesworth