Edinburgh National Society for Women's Suffrage

The Edinburgh National Society for Women's Suffrage was a leading group for women's rights in Scotland. It was one of the first three suffrage societies to be formed in Britain. History The Edinburgh Ladies' Emancipation Society was at one time the focus for women's rights in Edinburgh. This came to an end when Eliza Wigham, Jane Wigham and some of their friends set up the Edinburgh chapter of the National Society for Women's Suffrage on 6 November 1867. Eliza and her friend Agnes McLaren became the secretaries, Priscilla Bright McLaren was the president and Elizabeth Pease was the treasurer. One aim of the group was to influence a change in policy through supportive key politicians (MPs) John Stuart Mill, Jacob Bright and Duncan McLaren. In 1868, Mary Burton, a member of the Society, went to court, unsuccessfully, for the right to register to vote. By 1877, Eliza Wigham was still the secretary but she was sharing the role with Emily Rosaline Orme.