10 Facts About Caroline Martyn

Caroline Martyn's parents were devout high Anglicans and active in the Conservative Party.

Caroline Martyn was educated at Beaumont House School in the city and at the age of eighteen began work as a governess.

Caroline Martyn first joined the Conservative Primrose League, but while working in Reading she lodged with her maternal aunt, Mrs Bailey, who held pronounced left-wing views.

Caroline Martyn briefly became a radical and then a socialist.

Caroline Martyn became nationally recognised and large crowds turned up to hear her speak as she travelled round the country.

Caroline Martyn worked as a socialist education leader with Archie McArthur which led to Tom Anderson's initiative to start, what became a national organisation of Socialist Sunday Schools, modelled on Christian church Sunday schools for children, but where they taught instead the principles of socialism, and offered formal educational material and lesson plans for teachers to use.

In July 1896, Caroline Martyn travelled to Dundee to speak to female workers, to encourage them to join the Dundee Textile Workers Union.

Caroline Martyn died on 23 July 1896 at the age of 29.

Caroline Martyn's mother had travelled from Lincoln to be at her bedside, and her family purchased a plot in Balgay Cemetery in the city, where she was buried 24 hours later.

The first van was named after Caroline Martyn who had died earlier that year.