Origins & Early Life

Elizabeth Fry (née Gurney; 21 May 1780 – 12 October 1845), sometimes referred to as Betsy Fry, was an English prison reformer, social reformer, philanthropist and Quaker. Fry was a major driving force behind new legislation to improve the treatment of prisoners, especially female inmates, and as such has been called the "Angel of Prisons". She was instrumental in the Gaols Act 1823 which mandated sex-segregation of prisons and female warders for female inmates to protect them from sexual exploitation. Fry kept extensive diaries, in which she wrote explicitly of the need to protect female prisoners from rape and sexual abuse.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

She was supported in her efforts by Queen Victoria and by Emperors Alexander I and Nicholas I of Russia; she was in correspondence with both Alexander and Nicholas, their wives, and the Empress Mother. In commemoration of her achievements, she was depicted on the Bank of England £5 note that was in circulation from 2002 until May 2017. Elizabeth Fry was born into a prominent Quaker family, the Gurneys, at Gurney Court, Norwich. Her childhood family home was Earlham Hall, which has been taken over by the University of East Anglia....

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

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