Dora Russell

Dora Russell

Name	Dora Russell
Birth name
Birth date	3 April 1894
Birth place	Thornton Heath, Surrey, England
Death date	31 May 1986
Death place	Porthcurno, Cornwall, England
Alma mater
Occupation	Author, Feminist, Campaigner
Years active
Organization
Known for	Women's rights activism, Pacifism
Notable works
Spouse(s)
Website

Dora Russell (3 April 1894 – 31 May 1986) was a prominent British author, feminist, and campaigner for women's rights and social reform. She was a significant figure in the early 20th-century feminist movement and was known for her advocacy of birth control, pacifism, and education reform.

Early Life and Education

Dora Russell was born Dora Winifred Black in Thornton Heath, Surrey, England. She was the daughter of a civil servant and was educated at Bedford College, London and Girton College, Cambridge, where she studied English. Her education at Cambridge was instrumental in shaping her intellectual and feminist perspectives.

Marriage and Family

In 1921, Dora married the philosopher Bertrand Russell, becoming his second wife. The couple had two children, John and Katharine. Their marriage was marked by shared intellectual pursuits and activism, although it eventually ended in divorce in 1935.

Activism and Feminism

Dora Russell was a passionate advocate for women's rights. She was involved in the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom and was a founding member of the National Birth Control Association, which later became the Family Planning Association. Her work in promoting birth control was groundbreaking at a time when such topics were considered taboo.

Pacifism

Russell was a committed pacifist, particularly during the interwar years. She was involved in various peace movements and was a vocal critic of militarism and war. Her pacifist stance was closely linked to her feminist beliefs, as she saw war as a manifestation of patriarchal power structures.

Educational Reform

Dora Russell was also deeply interested in education reform. She co-founded the Beacon Hill School with Bertrand Russell in 1927, which was based on progressive educational principles. The school emphasized freedom, creativity, and the development of the whole child, challenging traditional educational methods.

Writings

Dora Russell was a prolific writer, authoring several books and articles on feminism, education, and social issues. Her notable works include The Right to Be Happy (1927) and The Tamarisk Tree (1975), an autobiographical trilogy that provides insight into her life and beliefs.

Later Life and Legacy

In her later years, Dora Russell continued to be active in social and political causes. She remained a vocal advocate for women's rights and peace until her death in 1986. Her contributions to feminism and social reform have left a lasting impact, and she is remembered as a pioneering figure in the struggle for gender equality and social justice.

Also see

• Bertrand Russell
• Women's rights
• Pacifism
• Birth control movement
• Beacon Hill School