His Excellency the Governor General Sir Ronald Munro Ferguson and his wife Lady Helen (centre) with family members and Aides, May 1914, Government House, Melbourne [Family Album, Novar, Scotland].
Born into privilege in Ireland and growing up within an imperial world occupied by her father, Lord Dufferin – one time Viceroy of India – Lady Helen married Ronald Munro Ferguson, a young, aspiring liberal politician and Scottish laird in 1889.
Together through a sense of duty, aristocratic mission and feminist philanthropic liberalism, the pair’s union and career manifested itself eventually in the positions of Governor-General of Australia and the foundational President of the Australian Red Cross during the tumultuous years of the First World War.
For those unable to make it to Canberra for the event, it will be livestreamed online via the Library’s Facebook page. No bookings are required to watch the online stream.
Professor Melanie Oppenheimer is a 2021 National Library of Australia Fellow supported by the Stokes Family
The details
What: Imperial Power Couple: The Personal and Political Lives of Lady Helen and Sir Ronald Munro Ferguson
When: Thursday 21 July, 12.30 pm to 1.30 pm
Where: The National Library of Australia and livestreamed on the Library’s Facebook page.
Cost: Free. Bookings essential. No bookings are required to watch the online stream.
Loading ...
I was recently charged $19 a glass for domestic sparkling wine. That is ridiculous. It is now common… View