For #WorldBookDay this is a list of books borrowed from the British Museum reading rooms by members of the Women's Social and Political Union.

This list of reading materials gives us a unique insight into the movement. What tells us more than what someone reads? #suffragettes

These books were found during a raid on the Suffragette headquarters in 1912.

This image is of the interior of their headquarters at Clement’s Inn on the Strand in 1908. Reference: PRO 30/69/1834.

The list was used as evidence against the WSPU leaders in 1912, as they were believed to show intention to commit militant acts.

The raid on the WSPU headquarters was in response to increased militancy, including a mass window smashing campaign in March 1912.

ZPER 34/142

Although many of the books are actually legal text books. The suffragettes often represented themselves in court and thought up innovative legal strategies.

Reference: DPP 1/19 @uknatarchives https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C762617

The National Archives collections hold many amazing items that were seized in raids, giving us a fascinating insight into the inside workings of the militant suffrage movement.

You can learn more about our suffrage collections here: https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/womens-suffrage/

So there you go, a tweet about Suffragettes and books for #WorldBookDay