Caroline Bathurst (September 28, 1820 – June 27, 1861) was the eldest daughter of James Bathurst and Lady Caroline Stewart, daughter of the 1st Earl Castle Stewart. General Sir James Bathurst was an old friend of the family of Elizabeth Gilbert; and in London his children and the Gilberts saw much of each other. Caroline Bathurst was one of the little band of so-called "advanced" women who, around 1850, were interested in every movement having for its object the development and intellectual culture of women, and the throwing open to them of some career other than that of marriage, since marriage was seen to be not possible or even desirable for some women, such, for example, as Bessie Gilbert.
Caroline Bathurst had taken part in the opening in 1848 of Queen's College for Women, Harley Street, by the Rev. F. D. Maurice and the Professors of King's College, London. She also gave hearty assistance and furtherance to the opening of a similar institution in Bedford Square by the Professors of the University College, Gower Street. She was one of those who gave earnest and deep thought to the difficult problems of life, who was willing to work to the uttermost of her power, give all that she had,—time, money, health, even life itself, if only she might aid in raising the condition of women and establishing them as "joint heirs of the grace of life." No one has ever worked more ardently, more enthusiastically than she did. Over women younger than herself she exercised an irresistible fascination. Her courage, her hopefulness, her high and lofty aims, carried others as by a mighty wave over obstacles that had seemed insurmountable.
She was a few years older than Bessie, had full experience of all the best that life can give, and also of the deepest sorrows. Those who have seen her would recall the slight graceful figure, broad low brow, and eyes youthful and beautiful like a child's; eyes, with love and trust and happiness looking out from them. She was suffering from an incurable malady, which she endured with heroic fortitude and without one murmur.
Caroline Bathurst died at 40 years old in Bruges.
My published books:
