A 1911 arrest in London marked a turning point for Margaret Macfarlane, a Scottish nurse who pivoted from healthcare to militant activism. At age 23, she participated in a coordinated protest that resulted in a criminal conviction, setting the stage for her prolonged involvement with the Women's Social and Political Union in Dundee and East Fife.
Activism and The Suffragette Movement
Before her transition into political militancy, Macfarlane served as a trained nurse. By 1911, she became deeply involved in the campaign for women's suffrage. She helped organize a large-scale public meeting in St Andrews during a speaking tour led by Emmeline Pankhurst. Her commitment to the cause extended to the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies, where she held the role of honorary secretary for the Dundee and East Fife branches.
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Macfarlane's involvement in direct action led to her arrest in November 1911 after she shattered a window at the Hamburg America Line offices on Cockspur Street. The property damage was estimated at £104. In March 1912, a court sentenced her to four months at HM Prison Holloway. During her incarceration, she became one of 68 women to contribute their signatures to The Suffragette Handkerchief, a textile artifact currently housed at the Priest House in West Hoathly.
Prison Conditions and Force Feeding
During her time at Holloway, Macfarlane engaged in a hunger strike, which prompted authorities to implement force-feeding. She documented a significant decline in her physical health, reporting that her weight dropped from 7st 5lb to 6st 6lb by the time of her release in late June 1912. Her accounts detailed the use of physical restraints, gags, and throat manipulation by prison wardresses.
Continued Advocacy
Her political activities did not cease following her release. In January 1913, she returned to court to face charges related to the destruction of a Home Office window, valued at £2. The court ordered her to pay the repair costs along with a 40-shilling fine. Macfarlane received the Hunger Strike Medal in recognition of her actions during her imprisonment.
Fast facts
- Born: 1888, Scotland
- Died: 2000
- Occupation: Nurse and suffragette
- Citizenship: United Kingdom
- Prison: HM Prison Holloway
- Award: Hunger Strike Medal
Questions readers ask
What specific act led to Macfarlane's 1912 imprisonment?
She broke a large window at the Hamburg America Line office on Cockspur Street in London.
How long did Margaret Macfarlane live?
She lived to the age of 112, passing away in 2000.
Achievements
- Hunger Strike Medal
