• Welcome to this forum . We are a worldwide group with a common interest in Birmingham and its history. While here, please follow a few simple rules. We ask that you respect other members, thank those who have helped you and please keep your contributions on-topic with the thread.

    We do hope you enjoy your visit. BHF Admin Team

Marie Bethell Beauclerc

W

Wendy

Guest
Miss Marie Bethell Bauclerc has the dubious honor of being the first lady reporter in England. Many of George Dawsons sermons and lectures have been preserved because of her reports and efforts. She was born in London in 1846 and worked in Birmingham for several years reporting for local papers. She died in Birmingham in 1897. After her death a monument was erected by the congregation worshiping at the Church of the Saviour at her burial place in Key Hill Cemetery.
 
Moma P

That's very interesting.

How do you get to find out this info?
 
Wendy said:
Miss Marie Bethell Bauclerc has the dubious honor of being the first lady reporter in England. Many of George Dawsons sermons and lectures have been preserved because of her reports and efforts. She was born in London in 1846 and worked in Birmingham for several years reporting for local papers. She died in Birmingham in 1897. After her death a monument was erected by the congregation worshiping at the Church of the Saviour at her burial place in Key Hill Cemetery.
Click to expand...

A transcription of Marie Bethell Beauclerc's biography from The Phonetic Journal Sept.1891 pp. 596,597 - Our Portrait Gallery can be read at https://www.fkwc.org/page22.html and https://www.fkwc.org/page23.html This biography is interesting and further research on this lady also suggests that when she was described as "the first lady reporter in this country", the term reporter was used in the context of one who records the verbal discourses of others, e.g. lectures, sermons. Rather than a journalist, the biography depicts her as a pioneer in the teaching and use of Pitman's shorthand and typing in Birmingham. As well as reporting (recording) much of George Dawson's work, she was, according to "The Phonetic Journal" also the first woman teacher in an English boys' public school. The school was Rugby.
Helen
 
Thanks Helen this is an old thread and so much more has been researched now. The website has been posted on other threads but many thanks for the update.
 
Here is Maria Bethel Beauclerc 1844 to 1897 memorial at Key Hill cemetery.



Beauclerc_memorial_.JPG
 
Heard from Helen Blain - the great granddaughter of Marie Beauclerc's brother Richard Beauclerc. She has written a book on Marie, ( buried at key Hill Cemetery) and has included a segment on Key Hill Cemetery and the work of The Friends of Key Hill Cemetery. She lives in Australia, and so cannot visit the cemetery personally, but does have photos of Marie's grave taken by other relatives on their visits to England.
Her book is self published and will be on Amazon in a few weeks. The price will be depend on Amazon's charges, however it hasn't been written for profit. She really wanted to combine all the information now available on Marie Bethell Beauclerc into one biography. She has uncovered many references to her in the newspapers of the day and also articles written by and about her in the Phonetic Journals, particularly in 1888 when she taught at Rugby. She has attempted to write Marie's story against a brief backdrop of Victorian life.

Sounds really good - keep your eye's open on Amazon in the near future - and thank you Helen for producing such a work for everyone to share in the story!

Brian
 
That is great news Brian and a book I would like to read what a great result for the cemetery archive.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top