Florence Balgarnie – Scarborough Suffragette

Scarborough, North Yorkshire has many famous connections to historically-significant figures.

Until recently, Florence Balgranie was rather ‘unnoticed’.

Florence has connections to the women’s suffrage movement, the plight of female prisoners, her work with the temperance cause, her connections with Ida B Wells (an early leader in the American Civil Rights Movement), and the fact she was a talented journalist.

Florence was also very well-travelled, a prodigious and effective public speaker and was truly ahead of her time in many other pursuits.

Florence was born in Scarborough in 1856 at 2 Belle Vue Terrace, now part of modern-day Westborough, where, at long last, a Blue Plaque marks the spot.

She was the daughter of Reverand Robert Balgarnie, the charismatic congregational minister in the town. His church is now known at St Andrew’s United Reform Church overlooking the Ramshill district of the town.

Florence was privileged compared to many of her generation: she was educated in London and Germany.

She was also very well-travelled, visiting the USA, Canada, Europe, New Zealand, India and Japan.

In her early years, Florence studied at home (she was, due to the ‘rules’ at the time, unable to study at Cambridge University), and at 17 years of age, became a supporter of the women’s suffrage movement.

In 1884, Florence became the secretary for the executive panel of the Central Committee of the National Society for Women’s Suffrage.

During her tenure she travelled to America and Canada, during which time she studied their police station management systems and their effects on women. She highlighted the need for Police Matrons which were later implemented in London’s prisons. 

In 1889 she was a delegate at the Women’s Rights Congress in Paris and in 1907 took part in the famous Mud March, when women from all social backgrounds and classes gathered in Hyde Park, marching to the Strand in awful weather conditions.

Florence was also dedicated to the temperance movement. When she visited the USA, she studied their Prohibition Laws.

Florence was also elected Superintendent of the Political Department of Work and also the Police Matron Department.

In 1902, the establishment of matrons to attend police courts and stations was implemented.

In her later years, during the 1920s, Florence lived in Thaxted, Essex and she passed away in 1928 in the City of Florence, Italy.