Dr Matthew Roberts’ research brings Sheffield’s Chartist heroines to Central Library

An inspiring exhibition celebrating the achievements of Chartists from the Sheffield Women’s Rights Association is now on display at Sheffield Central Library.

Curated by Dr Matthew Roberts, Associate Professor in History in the Department of Humanities, and Denise Annett, a community historian and former Hallam employee, the exhibition delves into the lives of Sheffield working-class Chartist women in mid-19th century Sheffield, who courageously campaigned for votes for women. 

The Chartist Movement was a pivotal working-class campaign for democratic reform in 19th century Britain. Chartism holds great significance, as these people sacrificed much for the rights that we often take for granted today. Many were imprisoned, some were transported, others lost their livelihoods and even lives in some cases. 

This movement marked the first time women united to demand democratic rights for themselves. These trailblazing women were ahead of their time, as it would be many years and another century before women finally secured the right to vote. 

The exhibition will showcase the research from Dr Roberts, offering a deeper understanding of the lives of the members of the Sheffield Women’s Rights Association and their valiant struggles.

 

Dr Roberts remarked: “What I hope people will learn from the exhibition is about the women who formed this pioneering organisation. Until my research into the Sheffield Women’s Rights Association, which was published in 2021 in the English Historical Review (Oxford University Press), very little was known about these women. 

 

 

“The exhibition tells their inspiring story in the hope of raising historical awareness of them across the city.” 

Earlier this year, the exhibition was inaugurated at Sheffield General Cemetery, and will return there in the autumn for an evening of Chartist songs and poetry, featuring the folk music singer, Jennifer Reid, who recently starred in the BBC drama, The Gallows Pole.

The exhibition has been funded by the Sheffield Hallam Research and Innovation Fund (SHRIF), which aims to support inclusive and impactful research and innovation activities towards growth and sustainability. It will run at the Central Library until the end of July.