Born: 23 September 1869 (Rathmines, South Dublin)
Died: 27 March 1955
Biography:
Kathleen Rochard Simon, Viscountess Simon, DBE (formerly Manning, née Harvey; 23 September 1869 – 27 March 1955) was an Anglo-Irish anti-slavery activist. She was inspired to research slavery after living in Tennessee with her first husband and joined the abolitionist movement when she returned to London after his death. With her second husband, Sir John Simon, she campaigned against all forms of servitude. Traveling and speaking throughout her life, she was renowned for her commitment to ending slavery and racial discrimination and was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
Early Life:
Kathleen Rochard Harvey was born in Rathmines, South Dublin into a landed Irish family, the Harveys of Kyle (near Enniscorthy, County Wexford). She was the elder daughter of Frances (née Pollock) and Francis Harvey, who taught their daughters to appreciate liberty and despise slavery. In addition to receiving private education, she attended several Dublin schools. She was trained as a nurse and married the Irish physician Thomas Manning MD on 21 February 1885. The couple moved to the United States and settled in Tennessee. They had one son, Brian O’Donoghue Manning.
Involvement in Anti-Slavery:
After her first husband’s death, Kathleen Manning moved to London and started working as a midwife in the East End. Finding that she could not earn enough by midwifery alone, she took up the post of governess to the children of the widowed Sir John Simon. When her son, serving in the First World War as a member of the Irish Guards, became a prisoner of war, she asked Simon for help. The two soon got engaged, and they married on 18 December 1917 in France, with Kathleen becoming known as Lady Simon.
Political Engagement and Activism:
While living in Tennessee with her first husband, Kathleen Manning had witnessed discrimination against a young African-American girl named Amanda. Upon moving to London, she joined the Anti-Slavery and Aborigines’ Protection Society. Lady Simon supported the Irish republican cause during the Irish War of Independence, pressuring her second husband to join her, but also denounced Sinn Féin as well. However, she was not well-liked by high society. Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain once commented, How he came to marry that wife I don’t know. She doesn’t seem to fit the part of a grande dame!
Abolitionism:
In 1927, Lady Simon and the future Liberal Party leader Violet Bonham Carter decided to support the abolitionism convention made by the League of Nations, stating that no color barrier should exist. Lady Simon dedicated herself to raising awareness about the inhumanity of slavery and campaigned tirelessly for its abolition. She traveled extensively, attending conferences and giving speeches to educate people about the plight of enslaved individuals and the need for change.
Legacy:
Kathleen Simon, Viscountess Simon, left behind a lasting legacy as a dedicated and influential anti-slavery activist. She was deeply motivated by her personal experiences and her passion for justice and equality. Her efforts played a significant role in raising awareness about the horrors of slavery and inspiring others to join the fight against racial discrimination. In recognition of her contributions, she was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire. Kathleen Simon’s commitment to ending slavery continues to inspire and guide activists today in their quest for a more just and inclusive society.
Awards:
– Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE)