Transcript

of

Lady Bowring. [Obituary]

Trans. Devon. Assoc. vol. XXXIV, (1902), p. 38.

by

J. Brooking-Rowe (Ed.).

Prepared by Michael Steer

The obituary was read at the Association’s July 1902 Bideford meeting. Lady Deborah Bowring, born Deborah Castle (30 July 1816 – 28 July 1902) was a notable suffragist and philanthropist. A comprehensive history of her life and importance to the Womens’ Suffrage Movement, together with an early portrait, is available in Wikipedia. Lady Bowring’s obituary, from a copy of a rare and much sought-after journal can be downloaded from the Internet Archive. Google has sponsored the digitisation of books from several libraries. These books, on which copyright has expired, are available for free educational and research use, both as individual books and as full collections to aid researchers.

Lady Bowring. On the eve of the meeting at Bideford came the news of the death of Deborah Lady Bowring. Her removal from among us is greatly regretted. From the time of her marriage, when she came into the county to reside, she took much interest in the proceedings of the Association, of which she became a member on her husband's death. ¹ She frequently attended the Annual Meetings, and took part in the discussions, and at the dinner always returned thanks in well-chosen words for the toast of "The Ladies." She spoke well and with sincerity, and in discussion and repartee she held her own. She lived in Exeter, and took an active part in all public affairs affecting the city and the citizens, and was always to be relied upon for help in philanthropic endeavours. The last meeting Lady Bowring attended was at Honiton. Increasing age afterwards prevented her from leaving home to attend subsequent meetings, but a kind message or letter from her always arrived regretting her absence. She died at 7, Baring Crescent, Exeter, on the 28th July, 1902, at the age of eighty-five, and was buried on the Wednesday following. 

1. See Trans., vol. vi., 1873, p. 28, for obituary notice of Sir John 
Bowring.