Fry, Elizabeth (1780–1845)

Jennifer M. Kilty

Elizabeth Fry was a prison reformer who advocated for the humane treatment and rehabilitation of inmates. She incorporated religion, education, and vocational practices into her ideology of reform. She was a strict Quaker who incorporated her religious beliefs into her educational work to inmates. Fry primarily advocated on behalf of women offenders. Elizabeth Gurney Fry was born at Earlham in Norwich, England, on May 21, 1780. She was the third daughter of John Gurney and Catherine Bell, and 1 of 11 children. Her mother died when she was 12 years of age, at which point, in her mother's place, her eldest sister became responsible for tending to the children. Elizabeth Gurney married Joseph Fry in August 1800. Joseph too, was a devout Quaker, and he hailed from a wealthy family. The newlywed couple settled in London, where Fry found her calling of assisting female prisoners. Fry was acknowledged in 1811 ...

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