Background
Pankhurst was the son of Henry Francis Pankhurst (1806-1873) and Margaret Marsden (1803-1879). He was born in Stoke but spent most of his life in Manchester and London.
Pankhurst was the son of Henry Francis Pankhurst (1806-1873) and Margaret Marsden (1803-1879). He was born in Stoke but spent most of his life in Manchester and London.
He was educated at Manchester Grammar School and Owens College of Manchester. In 1858 he graduated Bachelor from the University of London and in 1859 was awarded Bachelor of Laws with Honours. In 1863 he graduated Doctor of Laws with gold medal.
He was called to the Bar at Lincoln"s Inn in 1867 and joined the Northern Assizes circuit. He established a National Society for Women"s Suffrage, drafted the Women"s Disabilities Removal Bill (the first women"s suffrage bill in England) and was author of the bill which became the Married Women"s Property Acting (1882) which gave wives absolute control over their property and earnings. With her, he was instrumental in establishing the Independent Labour Party.
Together they formed the Women"s Franchise League in 1889.
They were present at the Bloody Sunday riot in Trafalgar Square. Known as the "Red Doctor," he stood for Parliament in 1883 as candidate for Manchester and in 1885 for Rotherhithe, Kent, both times unsuccessfully.
"Life is nothing without enthusiasms"
"Every struggling cause shall be ours"
"a public abattoir butchering the liberties of the people"
"a portentious beadledom".
They were part of a political circle which included Keir Hardie, Annie Besant, William Morris and George Bernard Shaw. His controversial views did not win him many clients, but did afford him a place of great respect in the Independent Labour Party, even long after his sudden death, from stomach ulcers, at the age of 64.
He was also a member of the Bar of the County Palatine of Lancaster Court.