Record Number: 23076

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Reading Experience:

Evidence:

ms journal of Sophia de C-, one of the ladies of the visiting Society for Newgate, entry dated 2 May 1817: 'Rose early and visited Newgate where most of the Committee met to receive the Lord Mayor, the Sheriffs, several Aldermen, among whom were Sir William Curtis, Atkins and some of the Gaol Committee ... The women were assembled as usual, looking particularly clean, and Elizabeth Fry had commenced reading a Psalm, when the whole of this party entered this already crowded room. Her reading was thus interrupted for a short time. She looked calmly on the approaching gentlemen, who, soon perceiving the solemnity of her occupation, stood against the multitude; whilst Elizabeth Fry resumed her office, and the women their quietude; and in an impressive tone told them, she never permitted any trifling circumstance to interrupt the very solemn and important engagement of reading the Holy Scriptures ... The usual silence ensued after the reading, then the women withdrew. We could not help feeling particularly glad that the gentlemen were present at this reading'

Century:

1800-1849

Date:

2 May 1817

Country:

England

Time

daytime

Place:

city: London
specific address: Newgate Gaol
other location: prison

Type of Experience
(Reader):
 

silent aloud unknown
solitary in company unknown
single serial unknown

Type of Experience
(Listener):
 

passive reactive unknown
single serial unknown

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Reader / Listener / Reading Group:

Reader:

Elizabeth Fry

Age:

Adult (18-100+)

Gender:

Female

Date of Birth:

21 May 1780

Socio-Economic Group:

Professional / academic / merchant / farmer

Occupation:

wife of merchant

Religion:

Quaker

Country of Origin:

England

Country of Experience:

England

Listeners present if any:
e.g family, servants, friends

female prisoners, other lady visitors, Lord Mayor of London, Sheriffs of City of London, Aldermen of City of London (incl Sir William Curtis)

Additional Comments:

nee Gurney

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Text Being Read:

Author:

[n/a]

Title:

Bible (Psalms)

Genre:

Bible

Form of Text:

Print: Book

Publication Details

n/a

Provenance

owned

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Source Information:

Record ID:

23076

Source:

Print

Author:

Elizabeth Fry

Editor:

Katharine Fry

Title:

Memoir of Elizabeth Fry, with extracts from her Journal and letters, edited by two of her daughters

Place of Publication:

London

Date of Publication:

1847

Vol:

1

Page:

277-8

Additional Comments:

n/a

Citation:

Elizabeth Fry, Katharine Fry (ed.), Memoir of Elizabeth Fry, with extracts from her Journal and letters, edited by two of her daughters, (London, 1847), 1, p. 277-8, http://www.open.ac.uk/Arts/reading/UK/record_details.php?id=23076, accessed: 20 January 2025

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Additional Comments:

None