Leigh Smith, Barbara

Barbara Leigh Smith (later Bodichon) (1827 to 1891) divided her life as a painter in Morocco and pioneering women's rights activist in London. Illegitimate, she was a cousin to Florence Nightingale. She took art classes at Bedford College for Women, 1849. Founded the Society of Female Artists, 1857. Built her home, Scalands Gate on the Glottenham Estate in East Sussex, 1863 for which her friend, Gertrude Jekyll designed an extension to be used for evening classes and as a reading room, 1878.  She donated many thousands of pounds to Girton College, Cambridge. (Pam Hirsch, 'Barbara Leigh Smith Bodichon', 1999).