Caroline Chisholm

About

19th-century English humanitarian who was an advocate for the welfare of female immigrants in Australia, and who has been considered for sainthood.

Before Fame

In 1834 after observing that the wives and daughters of British soldiers were living in poverty and involved in crime and prostitution she founded the Female School of Industry for the Daughters of European Soldiers.

Trivia

She is commemorated on 16 May in the Calendar of saints in the Church of England and there are also proposals for the Catholic Church to also recognise her as a saint.

Family Life

At the age of 22, she married Captain Archibald Chisholm, who worked for the East India Company and was thirteen years older the her.

Associated With

The character of Mrs Jellyby in the Charles Dickens novel Bleak House is said to be based on Caroline Chisholm.