11 Facts About Victoria Lidiard

Victoria Lidiard was a British social activist, optician and Christian author, reputed to be the longest surviving suffragette in the UK.

Victoria Lidiard Simmons was born on 23 December 1889 in Clifton, Bristol, part of a large family of 13 children.

Victoria Lidiard was educated in a local Dame school, leaving at aged 14 to work in a photographic studio, whilst studying bookkeeping and shorthand in the evenings.

Victoria Lidiard married in 1918 Alexander Lidiard, then serving as major with the 3rd Manchester Rifles battalion, and who was an active member of the Men's League for Women's Suffrage.

Victoria Lidiard trained as an optician after the war and with her husband operated optician practices in Maidenhead and High Wycombe.

Victoria Lidiard was interviewed by Brian Harrison, in March 1976, as part of the Suffrage Interviews project, titled Oral evidence on the suffragette and suffragist movements: the Brian Harrison interviews.

Victoria Lidiard's life is marked by a blue plaque in Hove.

Victoria Lidiard became a vegetarian at the age of 10 and remained interested in animal welfare her entire life.

Victoria Lidiard was socially active throughout her life, involving herself in animal welfare campaigns such as for the improvement of conditions under which livestock was transported; holding positions on a local church council, and serving as a member of the National Council.

Victoria Lidiard wrote and published two books, Christianity, Faith, Love and Healing and Animals and All Churches.

Victoria Lidiard died in Hove, East Sussex on 3 October 1992.