Dorinda Neligan

Neligan was born in Cork in 1833. She was the fifth child of Lieutenant Thomas Neligan. Despite having a soldier as a father she objected to war.[1] She was educated at home, in Paris and Germany and she went on to work as a "finishing governess". She then did notable work leading nursing at the siege of Metz during the Franco Prussian War in 1870-71.[2]

Neligan was a bold choice as the founding head of Croydon High School in 1874. The school was backed by Maria Georgina Grey and was part of the Girls' Public Day School Company and it opened with 88 pupils.[3]

After she retired she took an interest in Women's suffrage. She had a silver teapot seized by officials after she refused to pay local taxes in protest at having no representation.[2]

On 18 November 1910 she joined a deputation led by Emmeline Pankhurst to petition the Prime Minister Asquith. The delegates included Hertha Ayrton, Dr Elizabeth Garrett Anderson, Dr Louisa Garrett Anderson, Anne Cobden-Sanderson, and Princess Sophia Duleep Singh.[2] The delegation was met by the uniformed police and hooligans (who may have been police in plain clothes). There was evidence of their brutality but the government refused to investigate. The day became known as "Black Friday" There was also evidence that Neligan had assaulted a constable, but no charges were made.[2]

Dorinda Neligan memorial in Croydon Minster

Neligan died at her home in Croydon in 1914.[2] Some women were to get the vote in 1918.