The books in this collection constitute some of the oldest material from The Women’s Library and LSE, dating from the early 17th century to the mid 19th century. The collection explores how social expectations of women and their perceived roles in society have changed throughout the centuries, featuring perspectives from both female and male authors. The books include academic and philosophical works, such as treatises, essays and recorded lectures, as well as petitions, instructional books, works of fiction, satire and general entertainment.

This collection contains the annual reports of the first suffrage societies of the 19th century (e.g., the London Society for Women’s Suffrage in 1869). This includes reports of the branches of the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies, of the Women’s Social and Political Union, and of suffrage societies around England, Scotland, Ireland and Europe. The annual conference reports of the Women’s Freedom League continue until 1929.

This collection contains the journals of a number of suffrage organisations from the late 19th century to 1918. This includes the journals of suffragists and suffragettes, as well as religious, international and political suffrage groups, and anti-suffragists. Some journals continued beyond the passing of the Representation of the People Act in 1918 (e.g., “The Vote” by the Women’s Freedom League and “Jus Suffragii” by the International Women’s Suffrage Alliance).

This collection contains the bound volume of leaflets published by the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies up until 1914. It also contains the leaflets and pamphlets published by various suffrage organisations such as the Women’s Local Government Society and the Women’s Emancipation Union.