The British Newspaper Archive Blog Emily Wilding Davison – the Epsom Derby, 4th of June 1913

At the Epsom Derby on 4 June 1913, Emily Wilding Davison, an activist in the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU), ran out on to the racecourse in an apparent attempt to attach the suffragette colours to the King’s horse, ‘Amner’.

Tragically, the terrible injuries that she sustained in the collision with the horse and jockey, led to her death four days later – she never recovered consciousness.

To celebrate her tremendous courage and her committed activism for the WSPU, here is an incredibly moving photograph of that most poigant of moments in history. We’ve also included several newspaper reports about the incident, as well as some photographs of Emily Wilding Davison – a photograph of the funeral procession is also included.

Quem di diligunt, adolescens moritur.

Evening Telegraph – Thursday 05 June 1913

Image © D.C.Thomson & Co. Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000563/19130605/019/0001

Derby Daily Telegraph – Wednesday 04 June 1913

Image © Northcliffe Media Limited. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000327/19130604/023/0003

Dundee Courier – Thursday 05 June 1913

Image © D.C.Thomson & Co. Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000164/19130605/115/0006

Aberdeen Journal – Thursday 05 June 1913

Image © D.C.Thomson & Co. Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.