Mary Richardson

Mary Raleigh Richardson

Mary Richardson was a prominent figure in the early 20th century, known for her involvement in the suffragette movement and her later association with fascism in the United Kingdom.

Early Life

Mary Richardson was born in Canada in 1882. She moved to England in her early twenties, where she became involved in the women's suffrage movement.

Suffragette Movement

Richardson joined the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU), an organization led by Emmeline Pankhurst that advocated for women's right to vote through militant actions. She became known for her direct actions, including vandalism and arson, to draw attention to the cause.

Attack on the Rokeby Venus

One of Richardson's most famous acts was her attack on the painting The Rokeby Venus by Diego Velázquez at the National Gallery in London in 1914. She slashed the painting with a meat cleaver as a protest against the arrest of Emmeline Pankhurst. Richardson was arrested and sentenced to six months in prison for this act.

Later Life and Fascism

After the suffragette movement, Richardson's political views shifted. She became involved with the British Union of Fascists (BUF), led by Oswald Mosley. Her involvement with the BUF marked a controversial turn in her political career, contrasting sharply with her earlier activism for women's rights.

Death

Mary Richardson died in 1961, leaving behind a complex legacy as both a suffragette and a fascist.

Legacy

Richardson's life is a subject of study for those interested in the history of the suffragette movement and the political shifts in early 20th-century Britain. Her actions, particularly the attack on the Rokeby Venus, remain iconic in the history of women's rights activism.

See Also

• Women's suffrage in the United Kingdom
• Emmeline Pankhurst
• British Union of Fascists
• The Rokeby Venus