An important commemoration The centenary commemoration of Nancy Astor’s election to Parliament by a by-election to become the first woman to take her seat in the House of Commons couldn’t…Read More >
News and Events
The latest news and events from the Astor project.
Brilliant and Vivid Eloquence: Nancy Astor’s Maiden Speech, 24 February 1920 by Professor Judith Rowbotham
One hundred years ago today, on 24 February 1919, Nancy Astor became the first woman to speak in the house of Commons. Here, Professor Rowbotham, an independent scholar and Visiting…Read More >
Nancy Astor: 100 years of women in Parliament – Rachel Newton
2019 marked the centenary of Nancy Astor’s entry into Parliament, leaving a fascinating legacy for women today. The National Archives plays host to a variety of documents that illuminate this…Read More >
Celebrating 100 Years of Women in Parliament – 28 November 2019 – What a day!
On 28 November 1919, Nancy Astor was elected to Parliament, becoming the first female MP to take her seat. A century on, a train named in her honour took VIP…Read More >
The journey begins – Astor 100 celebrations 28 November – Tannoy announcements on the Nancy Astor Express
As the Nancy Astor Express makes its inaugural journey to Plymouth for the historic unveiling of a bronze statue to Nancy Astor, four research students from the Department of History…Read More >
PRESS RELEASE: Train retraces Lady Astor’s journey from Parliament to constituency during 100th anniversary celebrations
A TRAIN named after the first female MP to take her seat in UK parliament will retrace her historic journey between London and her constituency. A Great Western Railway train, The Nancy Astor,…Read More >
100 years of women in parliament: Why you should vote in this election – by Molly Edwards, Bronwyn Jacobs, Rachel Newton and Abbie Tibbott
On 28 November, two weeks ahead of the General Election, a group of History MA students will witness the unveiling of the first public statue to a British female MP…Read More >
Bessie Le Cras – counting agent for Nancy Astor – By Oonagh Gay
28 November 2019 marks the hundredth anniversary of the election of Nancy Astor as the first woman MP to take her seat in the House of Commons, following a closely…Read More >
Astor’s agent: the professional career of Christopher Briggs – by Dr Kathryn Rix
Nancy Astor’s election agent, Christopher George Briggs was one of a new breed of agents who established the National Society of Conservative Agents. Here, Dr Kathryn Rix, Assistant Editor of…Read More >
THE NANCY ASTOR STATUE APPEAL – How history is being made again – By Alexis Bowater
“TO be honest with you, we never thought you’d do it,” said many, after we’d smashed our Crowdfunder. Indeed so many that I wondered why not one had said a…Read More >
