Felicia Skene - Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK
Posted by: BruceS
N 51° 45.196 W 001° 15.636
30U E 620061 N 5735027
Blue plaque honoring prison reformer and friend of the poor in Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK.
Waymark Code: WM9Z8T
Location: Southern England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 10/21/2010
Views: 7
Text of plaque:
FELICIA SKENE
1821 - 1899
Prison reformer
and
Friend of the poor
Lived here
1869 - 1899
Felicia Skene led a fairly privledged life. She became involved in charitable work and helped during cholera and smallpox epidemics in 1854. In 1869 she moved to the house at 34 St Michael Street and began her work with the Oxford Gaol. She was the first woman in England to be appointed Prison Visitor. She pleaded for prison change, desiring that prisons become more involved in reform. She also worked with others to promote and provide the for the needs of the destitute.