13 Facts About Isabella Reaney

Isabella Emily Thomasa "Isabel" Reaney was a British preacher, social activist and editor.

Isabella Reaney was born in Huntingdon on 15 July 1847.

Isabella Reaney's elder brother was Arthur Wellesley Edis who was a gynaecologist and her niece through Arthur was the photographer Olive Edis.

Isabella Reaney visited the old and poor and men and women would gather at her house on a Sunday afternoon to listen to her.

Isabella Reaney moved on use a classroom and then a local hall attracting people to listen to her.

Isabella Reaney's parents were concerned that she was overreaching herself and the local Bishop took an interest.

Isabella Reaney was said to have given his blessing to her work after hearing of her determination.

Isabella Reaney married another preacher the Reverend George Sale Reaney, of Wycliffe Chapel in Warrington on 4 March 1873.

Isabella Reaney continued to work for the poor and she would take over her husband's preaching when he was ill.

Reaney created a home for people recovering from illness in Folkestone, and when Henrietta Barnett and her husband launched the Children's Country Holidays Fund in 1884, Reaney worked with her.

Isabella Reaney was a campaigner for tramcar drivers in Stepney who worked long hours in poor conditions for low wages.

Isabella Reaney bought shares in tram companies so that she could attend annual general meetings to ask pointed questions.

Isabella Reaney died on 19 June 1929 at home in Bromley in Kent.