Page:The Feminist Movement - Snowden - 1912.djvu/111

 interests and concerns of ordinary everyday existence.

Elizabeth Gurney was bom in Norwich in the year 1780 of a well-known and highly-respected Quaker family. She was always a serious-minded child, much given to introspection, an idealist by every instinct of her being. When very young she came under the influence of a much-esteemed friend of the family who belonged to the straitest sect of the Society of Friends, wearing more sober garments, and observing a sterner code of manners than the parents of Elizabeth felt called upon to adopt. Like wise parents, however, they put no obstacles in the way of their child, who was permitted to follow her heart and conscience, and who voluntarily adopted the stern life of the more rigid Quakers. Her husband, Joseph Fry, whom she married when twenty years of age, agreed beforehand never to interfere with the free movements of her spirit, nor to step into the way of the accomplishment of whatever work she might feel called upon to do.

Although children were born to her in rapid succession, she found time for many pious works amongst the poor, providing them with food, clothing, and even education, for she founded a school on her country estate, to which many came to be taught. So divinely serene and pure was her character, that