The University of Edinburgh suffragists head to the House of Lords. Image They were gaining support and letters they received were like this one in our collections to Francis Simson: 13 November 1908 Dear Miss Simson, Our best congratulations on the conduct of your case. Whatever the result this will do great things for the cause & makes one proud of one’s sex. Very much yours E. J. Haldane My mother is most interested. National newspapers were also now taking an interest. The editor of the University student newspaper The Student approved publicly and a female journalist from The Guardian Newspaper wrote to Francis Simson to ask for biographies for a piece they were doing on them. This letter is part of our exhibition in the Main Library in Autumn 2018. 5 November 1908 Dear Madam May I ask you to be good enough to allow us to publish your portrait in the next issues of the women’s supplement of the “Guardian” and to send us a photograph (which will be returned) for reproduction. I am anxious to have one also of Miss Chrystal MacMillan, but unfortunately I have not her address. Would it be possible for you to communicate with her and to make this request for me. Or would you kindly send me her address on a postcard so that I may write to her myself without loss of time. Would you also be good enough to give me one or two particulars of your own career & refer me to some biographical notice that has already appeared. You probably know the “Guardian” as it is an old – established paper of very good standing. The Women’s supplement was edited by Mrs Arthur Lyttelton until her death nearly two years ago. Believe me Yours Truly Agnes M. Hitchcock Image This was a dramatic new gesture, without the use of violence. This was made even more so as the women decided to present the case themselves. Chrystal MacMillan as principal speaker and supported by Melville and Simson. In our exhibition the letters around this case that were sent to Francis Simson can be seen. Digital versions can be seen here. At the core of the collection is a telegram from Chrystal MacMillan to Francis Simson: 6 November 1908 Tuesday almost certain come tomorrow with morning train that we may have time to discuss wire me and I will dine with you at Berners Hotel possibility that only one appellant may be heard lawyers have written you particulars. MacMillan Image The letter from the solicitors Chrystal MacMillan mentions survives and says: 6 November 1908 Dear Madam, Nairn & others vs University of St Andrews & others We received this morning your letter of the 4th inst. And we have applied for passes at the Judicial Office, but they will not issue them there until they receive the names of your friends: kindly let us have these by first post on Monday morning. We think it is probable that only one Appellant will be allowed to address the House but this will not be decided until the case comes on for hearing. We therefore think that you should be prepared to address the House in the event of the Lords permitting it. We understand that Miss MacMillan is to open the Case. The list will not be fixed definitely until Monday afternoon about 4 o’clock, but, as far as can be seen at present, the Nairn Appeal will be heard on Tuesday next the 10” inst at 10:30am, or, in the event of one of the Cases in the List for Monday not being quite finished, at a somewhat later hour. As arranged we shall send you a telegram on Monday afternoon as soon as we know definitely what cases are in the paper for Thursday, i.e. about 4:30 p.m. Your Faithfully Neish Howell & Haldane Image Part Three: The Scottish suffragists speak up This article was published on 2024-10-08
