Emily Davison Memorial Project
Emily’s Story
Up until recently, the suffragette, Emily Wilding Davison, has been defined by the event that took place at the Epsom Derby on 4th June 1913, when she ran out into the path of the King’s horse during the race and was severely injured, dying four days later at the Cottage Hospital in Epsom. Although many thought at the time that she intended to martyr herself for the cause, evidence has emerged that it is more likely that she badly misjudged an attempt to draw attention to the the plight of women’s suffrage by attaching a WSPU scarf to the bridle of the horse, and that, although she was willing to put herself in danger for the cause, she did not intend to kill herself.
However, Emily was so much more than what happened that fateful day. She was a “Geordie lass” born in Blackheath, London on 11th October, 1872 , but raised in Morpeth, Northumberland. She was intelligent and academically minded, studying at both Royal Holloway College and Oxford University where she completed two degrees, despite the fact that women were not allowed to graduate. She subsequently became a teacher and a governess in order to earn a living, as her father had died and left her and her mother in financial hardship. She also had many other talents and interests, which included swimming, cycling, singing and writing.
Project Timeline
8th June, 2013 was the centenary of Emily’s death and was commemorated by a series of events, including the dedication of a plaque commemorating her on Epsom Down Racecourse. It was on this date that the Emily Davison Memorial Project was started with a vision to create a significant memorial to Emily on The Downs. However, after much deliberation, for a variety of reasons, this could not be realised.
6th February, 2018 is another significant milestone; the centenary of some women getting the vote. It has been decided to relaunch the project on this date, with the aim this time to create a statue of Emily in the Epsom town centre market place.
- Council Approves Funding For Community Initiative
On 24th April 2018 Epsom & Ewell Councillors voted unanimously to approve the motion to Support the project. Epsom & Ewell Council approved funding towards the Emily Davison Memorial Project. Read the council press release below. “A statue of the celebrated suffragette Emily Davison could grace Epsom’s rejuvenated Market Place after the Strategy and Resources… - Unveiling of the finished maquette at Epsom Downs Racecourse
On Thursday 11th October 2018, on Emily’s birthday, Sarah Dewing Chair of the Emily Davison memorial Project along with the artist Christine Charlesworth unveiled the finished Maquette, small version of the planned statue to go in Epsom town centre, at Epsom Downs Racecourse near the spot where Emily walked in front of the King’s horse… - The Sculpting Begins
In July 2020, we are delighted to announce that the sculptor Christine Charlesworth has started work creating the statue of the suffragette Emily Wilding Davison. Emily will take pride of place in Epsom, the town where she lost her life whilst campaigning for women’s right to vote. We are still a little way from our… - We Have Done It!!!
In less than 3 years, in September 2020, The Emily Davison Memorial Project is thrilled that in less than three years since the project was relaunched we have been able to reach an important milestone where we reached our target to install the statue of Emily in Epsom Market Place. The statue will finally recognise… - Emily is Unveiled
On Tuesday 8th June, 2021, in front of VIP’s, family members and members of the public the statue of Emily Wilding Davison was unveiled in Epsom marketplace. A very emotional day for all. 108 years after Emily died at Epsom Cottage Hospital after being struck by the Kings horse in the 1913 Epsom Derby and…
We like to say a big thank you to our main donors Of course, the donations from Epsom & Ewell Council, Epsom Business Improvement District (Go Epsom), Surrey County Council, Lionel Blackman Solicitors, and the hundreds of you who have donated and supported the project.
If you can’t make it to Epsom, here is an audio guide created and accessible by scanning the QR code by the statue. To listen please click here Emily Davison Memorial Video.