Born Emily Gibson in 1849, she was the first applicant to, and one of the first five students at Girton College, Cambridge, then in Hitchin, Hertfordshire.
[1][2][3] Emily Townshend joined the Fabian Society in 1894, becoming active in its Research Department and writing several tracts for the group.
Townshend spent two years as editor of the School Child journal, and was also active on the Walham Green Juvenile Advisory Committee.
[5] Her daughter Caroline Townsend (1878–1944) was a leading stained glass artist and followed her mother in membership of the Fabian Society and interest in women's suffrage.
[6] Joan talked about Emily’s career, household arrangements, relationship with her daughter Rachel and with the suffrage movement.