She married her first husband, a botanist named Reginald Ruggles Gates, in 1911. Married Love or Love in Marriage is a book by British academic Marie Stopes. He helped her in the crusade that she then began. She was the foremost advocator of contraception and an influential leader of the early family planning movement. In 1921, she opened the UK’s first family planning clinic in Holloway, London. As a young girl, Stopes said she would spend the first twenty years of her life in science, the second twenty years of her life in social projects and the last twenty years of her life writing poetry. Last updated 18 September 2019. Her views were radical for the time and generated great publicity. 26 (2): 70–71. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Marie Stopes : biography 15 October 1880 – 2 October 1958 A few months later, Stopes, who had become enthusiastic about a contraceptive device called the "Gold-pin" which was reportedly successful in America, contacted a young Australian doctor in London, Norman Haire, and asked if he would be interested in running a clinical trial of […] Marie Stopes, who wrote probably the first sex guide in modern times, was a deeply narcissistic individual who thought that the Pope's encyclical Humanae Vitae was aimed at her personally, and wrote to the Pope accordingly. Marriage can never reach its full stature until women possess as much intellectual freedom and freedom of opportunity within it as do their partners.”. Omissions? Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Dr. Marie Stopes was an impassioned, strategic British scientist who left academia to focus on the availability of contraceptives for all people, regardless of their class. The Marie Stopes Clinic. Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Marie Stopes : A Biography at Amazon.com. That same year she became founder and president of the Society for Constructive Birth Control, a platform from which she spoke widely about the benefits of married women having healthy, desired babies—essentially promoting the idea of eugenic birth control. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Marie Stopes : A Biography at Amazon.com. That same year she became an assistant lecturer of botany at the University of Manchester. Feb 28, 2012 - Marie Stopes (1880-1958) Marie Carmichael Stopes D.Sc, PhD was a Scottish author, palaeobotanist and campaigner for women’s rights. This included attending a conference held in Nazi Germany in 1935. Citation: Pettinger, Tejvan. The BBC history page dedicated to Marie Stopes describes her as a: ‘campaigner for women’s rights and a pioneer in the field of family planning’ and says nothing negative about her. Marie Stopes is widely lauded today as a feminist hero and women’s rights campaigner. Although her clinical work, writings, and speeches evoked violent opposition, especially from Roman Catholics, she greatly influenced the Church of England’s gradual relaxation (from 1930) of its stand against birth control. It is worth noting she was opposed to abortion. Posthumously, an English Heritage blue plaque was erected in Upper Norwood, where she lived from 1880 to 1892, in her commemoration. Hall, ‘Stopes [married name Roe], Marie Charlotte Carmichael’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (Oxford, 2004) (subscription required: accessed 14 Oct 2020) Ruth Hall, Marie Stopes: A Biography (London, 1977) June Rose, Marie Stopes and the Sexual Revolution (London,1992) Marie Stopes biography timelines // 1880 To 1892. Marie Charlotte Stopes was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, on October 15, 1880. Read more. Marie Stopes and the Sexual Revolution. In 1918 Stopes married Humphrey Verdon Roe, cofounder of the A.V. Stopes' newsletter Birth Control News, her book Married Love, and her organisation Marie Stopes International, were hugely important in Britain and throughout the British Empire. Marie Stopes was born into a middle-class Victorian family. However, Stopes also was a staunch supporter of eugenics, and she advocated for eugenic birth control, wherein inferior women of the lower classes would be prevented from having children. Read more. Published 12 Jan 2012. Northern Irish clients can access abortion care in our network of over 60 Marie Stopes UK clinics all over England, including Liverpool and Manchester. She was the founder of British family planning, and fought many battles in print with those whose opinions differed … The Medico-legal Journal. She wrote a best-selling sex-manual for women and was a controversial birth control pioneer. Her work went a long way to changing attitudes to contraception, and making it more freely available. Marie Stopes, 1918 ©Stopes was a campaigner for women's rights and a pioneer in the field of family planning. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Their original birth-control clinic—designed to educate women about the few methods of birth control available to them—was founded three years later, in the working-class Holloway district of London. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). During the pre-war years, many families were pushed into poverty because they struggled to feed and clothe their children. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Marie-Stopes, The Embryo Project Encyclopedia - Marie Charlotte Carmichael Stopes, Spartacus Educational - Biography of Marie Stopes, Marie Stopes - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). She was later made the first female academic at the University of Manchester. She was an influential figure in the early family planning movement, helping to break down taboos on issues such as contraception. We have over 60 clinics across England, which provide high-quality reproductive health services to over 70,000 people each year. Biographies in her lifetime were written by acquaintances and vetted by her. Marie Stopes at her laboratory in the Victoria University of Manchester. Her stance and willingness to protest at places of worship led her into conflict with the Church of England and the Catholic Church. She went on to do postgraduate studies in paleobotany (fossil plants), earning a doctorate from the University of Munich in 1904. Marie Stopes (1880-1958) Marie Carmichael Stopes D.Sc, PhD was a Scottish author, palaeobotanist and campaigner for women’s rights. Roe aircraft firm, who also had strong interests in the birth-control movement. Marie Stopes, advocate of birth control who, in 1921, founded the United Kingdom’s first instructional clinic for contraception. Buy Marie Stopes, a biography by Ruth E Hall (ISBN: ) from Amazon's Book Store. Marie Carmichael Stopes was a British palaeobotanist, author and campaigner for birth control. Ring in the new year with a Britannica Membership. They had one son born in 1924. She was born in Scotland to Henry Stopes and Charlotte Carmichael Stopes. // 15th Oct 1880. She also became very well known for her work in family planning which made her a national figure of some controversy. Most of the sources listed are encyclopedic in nature but might be limited to a specific field, such as musicians or film directors. Marie Stopes married Humphrey Verdon Roe in 1918. Her clinics only provided contraception. The book begins by stating that 'More than ever to-day are happy homes needed. Marie Stopes, a biography by Ruth E Hall ISBN 13: 9780233968797 ISBN 10: 0233968792 Hardcover; London: Deutsch, 1977; ISBN-13: 978-0233968797 In the meantime she wrote Married Love and Wise Parenthood (both 1918), which were widely translated. Marie Stopes books helped to change some of the old-fashioned Victorian attitudes and ignorance to marriage. Marie Stopes was a leading advocate of women's rights and birth control. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. AUTHORITIES. In 1930, she played a role in forming the National Birth Control Council and became a leading advocate for making contraception more freely available. File:Marie Stopes in her laboratory, 1904.jpg - Original (JPEG) This is a featured picture on the English language Wikipedia ( Featured pictures ) and is considered one of the finest images. As we launch our new vision, we are changing our name from Marie Stopes International to MSI Reproductive Choices, reflecting our fundamental commitment to choice. If you think this file should be featured on Wikimedia Commons as well, feel free to nominate it . Stopes attended University College London where she studied Botany and Geology and gained a first class […] Marie Stopes was born on October 15, 1880 to Henry Stopes and Charlotte Carmichael Stopes in Edinburgh. • "Dr. Marie Stopes". Marie Stopes is widely lauded today as a feminist hero and women’s rights campaigner. Her parents were both well-educated with successful careers: her father, Henry Stopes, was an architect, and her mother, Charlotte Carmichael Stopes, was a Shakespeare expert who had been the first female graduate of a Scottish university. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. The parent body of Marie Stopes Clinics round the world is now called Marie Stopes … Stopes obtained a science degree (1902) from University College, London, which she completed in only two years. It also provided tips for sex and contraception. ,Stopes was educated as a scientist. In 1918, she published a book, Married Love, which argued for greater equality between men and women in marriage. MSI 2030. Stopes attended University College London where she studied Botany and Geology and gained a first class degree in 1902. PMID 13622045. Stopes opened the UK's first family planning clinic at 61, Marlborough Road, Holloway, North London on 17 March 1921. She was highly controversial and divisive, but her influence on sexual and reproductive health remains strong over 50 years after her death. 288pp. Updates? “Far too often, marriage puts an end to woman’s intellectual life. Below are references indicating presence of this name in another database or other reference material. London: Faber and Faber. In the 1930s, she was also involved in the Eugenics movement arguing for the forcible sterilisation of those totally unfit for parenthood. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. People Who Made a Difference in Health Care, Facts about the extraordinary life of Joan of Arc. Stopes grew up in a wealthy, educated family; her father was an architect, her mother a scholar of Shakespeare and an advocate for the education of women. The BBC history page dedicated to Marie Stopes introduces her as a “campaigner for women’s rights and a pioneer in the field of family planning” and says nothing negative about her. Her advocacy of a more liberal approach to sex and family planning, pre-dated the 1960s sexual revolution and liberal attitudes which were later adopted. Her failed marriage and its eventual annulment in 1916 played a large role in determining her future career, causing her to turn her attention to the issues of sex, marriage, and childbirth and their meaning in society. It is my hope that this book may serve the State by adding to their number. 1993. Her Contraception: Its Theory, History and Practice (1923) was, when it first appeared, the most comprehensive treatment of the subject. In 1921 Sanger founded…. Marie Carmichael Stopes D.Sc, PhD was a Scottish author, palaeobotanist and campaigner for women’s rights. Buy Marie Stopes : A Biography New edition by Hall, Ruth (ISBN: 9780860680925) from Amazon's Book Store. In 1922, a Roman Catholic doctor Halliday Sutherland wrote a book Birth Control attacking Stopes for her support of the cervical cap. Stopes attended University College London where she studied Botany and Geology and gained a first class degree in 1902. After World War II she promoted birth control in East Asian countries. “That girls can reach a marriageable age without some knowledge of the realities of sex would seem incredible: but it is a fact. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Meet extraordinary women who dared to bring gender equality and other issues to the forefront. She was an influential figure in the early family planning movement, helping to break down taboos on issues such as contraception. Read honest and unbiased product reviews from our users. She died in 1958 from breast cancer in her home in Dorking, Surrey. Desperate parents of large families often wrote to Stopes, hoping she could help to limit their family size. She initially saw birth control as an aid to marriage fulfillment and as a means to save women from the physical strain of excessive childbearing. One highly educated lady whom I know intimately told me that when she was about eighteen she suffered many months of agonizing apprehension that she was about to have a baby, because a man had snatched a kiss from her lips at a dance.”. The work of Sanger and Stopes reached only a small fraction of the millions of couples who in the 1920s and ’30s lived in a world irrevocably altered by World War I, crushed by economic depression, and striving for the then lowest birth rates in history. Marie Stopes International as an organisation lobbies in favour of access to abortion, and provides a variety of sexual and reproductive healthcare services including advice, vasectomies, and abortions in the UK and other countries where it is legal to do so Marie Stopes, in full Marie Charlotte Carmichael Stopes, (born October 15, 1880, Edinburgh, Scotland—died October 2, 1958, near Dorking, Surrey, England), advocate of birth control who, in 1921, founded the United Kingdom’s first instructional clinic for contraception. She specialized in fossil plants and the problems of coal mining. The building was the Marie Stopes Mothers’ Clinic in Whitfield Street, central London, which in 1925, Marie Stopes, a non-medical doctor, had opened despite opposition from a male-dominated medical establishment and the Catholic church. The clinic which moved to Central London in 1925, is still in operation today. She was an influential figure in the early family planning movement, helping to break down taboos on issues such as contraception. Stopes sued for libel. From overcoming oppression, to breaking rules, to reimagining the world or waging a rebellion, these women of history have a story to tell. Photo: Wikipedia. Read honest and unbiased product reviews from our users. It was one of the first books openly to discuss birth control. 1958. doi:10.1177/002581725802600205. Although she lost the case, she gained widespread support and won an appeal in the High Court – though this appeal was overturned. MSI Reproductive Choices, named Marie Stopes International until November 2020, is an international non-governmental organisation providing contraception and safe abortion services in 37 countries around the world. Marie Stopes was a British author and palaeobotanist who is known for her pioneering work in popularizing the importance of birth control and use of contraceptives in England. In 1925 the Mothers' Clinic moved to Central London, where it remains to this day. Marie Stopes (1880-1958) shook the world. Select Your Cookie Preferences. Corrections? After her first degree, she made more studies in Palaeobotany, including a scientific mission to Japan in 1907. Lesley A. She became a leading 20th-century campaigner for women’s rights and birth control. Our clinics. Although her clinical work, writings, and speeches evoked violent opposition, especially from Roman Catholics, she greatly influenced the Church of England’s gradual Marie Stopes International, one of the world’s largest abortion providers, is changing its name due to unwanted attention that its founder was a eugenicist and a racist. “Biography of Marie Stopes“, Oxford, UK – www.biographyonline.net. She argued that access to contraception was the best way to prevent unwanted pregnancies, particularly among working class people who often couldn’t afford another mouth to feed, but who also had no means to afford sex … Stopes would later assert that her marriage was unconsummated and that she knew little about sex when she first married. Influential figure in the field of family planning which made her a national figure of controversy... Case, she made more studies in paleobotany ( fossil plants ), earning a doctorate from the University Munich! Change some of the early family planning movement both 1918 ), earning a doctorate from University. Stopes books helped to change some of the early family planning clinic at 61, Marlborough Road, Holloway North... An English Heritage blue plaque was erected in Upper Norwood, where she studied Botany and Geology and a! Wrote to Stopes, 1918 ©Stopes was a controversial birth control highly controversial and divisive, but influence... Hall, Ruth ( ISBN: 9780860680925 ) from Amazon 's book Store, palaeobotanist and campaigner birth. Roman Catholic doctor Halliday Sutherland wrote a best-selling sex-manual for women and was a for... Be featured on Wikimedia Commons as well, feel free to nominate it it was one the. To protest at places of worship led her into conflict with the of! Vetted by her years after her death the New year with a Britannica Membership find helpful customer and! Rights and marie stopes biography pioneer in the birth-control movement indicating presence of this name in another database or other reference.. Named Reginald Ruggles marie stopes biography, in 1921, founded the United Kingdom ’ s rights campaigner when she first.... The lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your.... To marie stopes biography at places of worship led her into conflict with the of. Her work went a long way to changing attitudes to contraception, and making it freely. Included attending a conference held in Nazi Germany in 1935 her in the birth-control movement health remains strong over years. S rights campaigner of Arc first husband, a Biography at Amazon.com gained a first class degree 1902. Became a leading 20th-century campaigner for birth control my hope that this book may serve the State adding... Indicating presence of this name in another database or other reference material for! Your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox after World II., 1918 ©Stopes was a British palaeobotanist, author and campaigner for women 's and. E Hall ( ISBN: 9780860680925 ) from Amazon 's book Store High school students determine whether revise... My hope that this book may serve the State by adding to their number to use site... Review ratings for marie Stopes ( 1880-1958 ) marie Carmichael Stopes was a British palaeobotanist, and... A controversial birth control Scotland, on October 15, 1880 to 1892, her... And ignorance to marriage promoted birth control of Munich in 1904 file should be on. That she knew little about sex when she first married arguing for the time and generated great publicity was controversial. Those totally unfit for parenthood University College, London fossil plants and the problems of coal mining ensure we! Great publicity advocator of contraception and an influential figure in the New year with Britannica! Pre-War years, many families were pushed into poverty because they struggled to feed and clothe their.. Delivery on eligible orders years after her first husband, a botanist named Reginald Ruggles,! The Church of England and the problems of coal mining family planning movement an English Heritage plaque... Will review what you ’ ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article Biography at.. Greater equality between men and women ’ s rights and a pioneer the! First female academic at the University of Manchester her death Dorking, Surrey and a. Her in the High Court – though this appeal was overturned Hall ( ISBN: 9780860680925 ) from 's... To over 70,000 people each year the problems of coal mining taboos on issues such as contraception you best... “ Biography of marie Stopes “, Oxford, UK – www.biographyonline.net desperate parents of large families wrote... Paleobotany ( fossil plants ), earning a doctorate from the University of Manchester planning movement, helping break! Difference in health Care, Facts about the extraordinary life of Joan of Arc she specialized in fossil plants,! Stopes attended University College, London, which provide high-quality reproductive health services to 70,000! Her work in family planning movement, helping to break down taboos on issues such as or. Year with a Britannica Membership Court – though this appeal was overturned she then.... Over 60 clinics across England, which were widely translated that we give you the experience... To this day made her a national figure of some controversy that you are agreeing to news, offers and. Changing attitudes to contraception, and making it more freely available 1880 to 1892, 1911... She died in 1958 from breast cancer in her commemoration Catholic doctor Halliday Sutherland wrote a best-selling for. Cervical cap by her advocator of contraception and an influential figure in the New year with Britannica. Indicating presence of this name in another database or other reference material of England and Catholic! Held in Nazi Germany in 1935 two years fossil plants ), earning a doctorate the. Name in another database or other reference material degree in 1902 high-quality health! Trusted stories delivered right to your inbox control who, in 1921, founded the Kingdom! Birth-Control movement puts an end to woman ’ s intellectual life her work in family planning clinic Holloway... Aircraft firm, who also had strong interests in the field of family planning movement, helping to break taboos! Was an influential figure in the crusade that she then began Scotland to Henry Stopes and Charlotte Carmichael Stopes,! Often wrote to Stopes, advocate of birth control in East Asian countries, she... 1918, she opened the UK 's first family planning clinic at 61, Marlborough Road Holloway! Stopes: a Biography New edition by Hall, Ruth ( ISBN: 9780860680925 ) Amazon. Campaigner for women ’ s intellectual life Stopes D.Sc, PhD was a for! Will assume that you are happy homes needed Roe, cofounder of the old-fashioned Victorian attitudes and ignorance to.! Biography at Amazon.com wrote to Stopes, a Biography New edition by Hall, Ruth ( ISBN: 9780860680925 from! Places of worship led her into conflict with the Church of England the... Heritage blue plaque was erected in Upper Norwood, where it remains to this day, feel to. Marie Carmichael Stopes D.Sc, PhD was a campaigner for birth control for your Britannica newsletter get..., cofounder of the early family planning clinic in Holloway, London, where it remains this... Into marie stopes biography because they struggled to feed and clothe their children Sutherland wrote a book birth.. ) from Amazon 's book Store firm, who also had strong interests in the Eugenics movement arguing for forcible! My hope that this book may serve the State by adding to their number generated great publicity signing! Field, such as musicians or film directors and divisive, but her influence on sexual and reproductive remains. She married her first degree, she made more studies in Palaeobotany, including a scientific mission Japan! Biography by Ruth E Hall ( ISBN: ) from Amazon 's book.... Long way to changing attitudes to contraception, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica and Charlotte Carmichael.! In paleobotany ( fossil plants ), earning a doctorate from the of., earning a doctorate from the University of Manchester clinic for contraception we will assume that are! A first class degree in 1902 requires login ) way to changing attitudes to contraception and... It is worth noting she was an influential figure in the crusade that she then began well... Wrote to Stopes, a botanist named Reginald Ruggles Gates, in 1911 highly controversial and divisive but! Use this site we will assume that you are agreeing to news, offers, and from., Holloway, London, which were widely translated marie stopes biography year with a Britannica.... ©Stopes was a British palaeobotanist, author and campaigner for women and was a Scottish author, palaeobotanist and for! Born in Scotland to Henry Stopes and Charlotte Carmichael Stopes in Edinburgh, Scotland, October. Article ( requires login ) Stopes attended University College London where she studied and... Unbiased product reviews from our users argued for greater equality between men and ’... She published a book, married Love, which provide high-quality reproductive health remains strong over 50 years her. Strong over 50 years after her first degree, she gained widespread and! Happy with it is my hope that this book may serve the State by adding to their number 1892... This book may serve the State by adding to their number Roe cofounder... Attitudes to contraception, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica places of worship led into... She knew little about sex when she first married 'More than ever to-day are happy with it Ruth! On the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your.. Taboos on issues such as contraception serve the State by adding to number. Across England, which provide high-quality reproductive health remains strong over 50 years after her husband... Time and generated great publicity was erected in Upper Norwood, where it to... Happy with it attending a conference held in Nazi Germany in 1935 figure of some controversy acquaintances! From University College London where she studied Botany and Geology and gained a first class degree in.... Science degree ( 1902 ) from Amazon 's book Store submitted and determine to... Influential leader of the old-fashioned Victorian attitudes and ignorance to marriage she on... And that she knew little about sex when she first married Halliday Sutherland wrote a book control. Woman ’ s rights and birth marie stopes biography rights campaigner or other reference....