A Skirt Through History

Anne Lister seemed a conventional gentlewoman. Her coded diaries reveal that she was really a lesbian Don Juan.

Bessie Parkes founded the first newspaper run by women. Emilie Peacocke later became one of the first women reporters.

Dr James Barry was born a girl, but lived disguised as a man. Hannah Cullwick turned from working-class to high-class.

Sarah Benett and Ethel Smyth were prison cell neighbors. Both were charged with window breaking - a suffragettes tactic.

Lady Maria Nugent described her slaves as "merry." Meanwhile, Mary Prince, born into slavery, endured brutal treatment.