Elizabeth Spence Watson

Overview

Elizabeth Spence Watson born Newcastle-on-Tyne, England September 12, 1838 (d. 1919). Quaker absolute pacifist; suffragist. Opposed all wars, including World War I.

Quotations

“Just to speak of the wars which I remember, by no means chronologically, the Abyssinian. war—memorable for its many disasters—the Zulu War—the Ashanti war—wars in Uganda—the Chinese opium wars—the Indian Mutiny (1857)—the Afghan war—the South African war—the war in the Soudan. We profess to believe in Christianity, and in teaching Christianity to 'savage people,' and this we do by fire and sword, and making the land of our enemies a desert.” (Reminiscences, Jan. 8, 1918; photo benbeck.com)