Catherine Mary Buckton Explained

Catherine Mary Buckton (née Williams, 1826–1904) was a British campaigner and writer. She was based in Leeds, UK, and strongly believed in the education of women, and promoted hygienic practices.^[1]

Biography

Catherine Buckton was born in Stoke Newington and was one of nine children. Her father was a surgeon specialising in the treatment of cholera and a pioneer of public health reform.^[2] She married Joseph Buckton, a successful cloth merchant in 1848. Buckton became the first woman in Leeds to hold elected public office when she became a member of the Leeds School Board in 1873.^[3]

She wrote a number of books: 'Health in the House, 25 Lectures on Elementary Physiology In Its Application To The Daily Wants of Man and Animals Delivered To The Wives and Children of Working-Men in Leeds and Saltaire' (1876 ^[4]), 'Food and Home Cookery', 'Our Dwellings, Healthy and Unhealthy' (1885 ^{[5] [6]}), 'Town and Window Gardening, Including the Structures, Habits And Uses Of Plants, A Course Of 16 Lectures' (1879^[7]), and 'Comfort and Cleanliness (1894 ^[8])' https://www.thoresby.org.uk/content/people/buckton.php

Books

• 'Health in the House, 25 Lectures on Elementary Physiology In Its Application To The Daily Wants of Man and Animals Delivered To The Wives and Children of Working-Men in Leeds and Saltaire' (1876)

This was based on a series of lectures given over a two year period to children aged between 10-13. She used Germ Theory to explain the risk of infection, and used anatomy and physiology as an aid to learning (page x, preface ^[9]).

• 'Town and Window Gardening, Including the Structures, Habits And Uses Of Plants, A Course Of 16 Lectures (Given Out Of School Hours to Pupil -Teachers And Children Attending The Leeds Board Schools)' (1879 ^[10])

Based upon a series of lectures given to children, includes an introduction to the scientific basis of gardening, as well as practical advice.

• 'Our Dwellings, Healthy and Unhealthy (Addressed To Girls Attending The Leeds Board Schools' (1885 ^[5])

Aimed at girls aged 9 and above, written with explanations in basic science, and simple experiments to 'explain the nature of good and bad air, ventilation, and why we have fevers'.

Sources

• https://www.thoresby.org.uk/content/people/buckton.php

Notes and References

1. Web site: Catherine Mary Buckton (1826-1904) - They Lived in Leeds - Thoresby Society. 2020-11-22. www.thoresby.org.uk.
2. Web site: Catherine Mary Buckton. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20211029201851/http://leedswomenshistory.co.uk/catherinebucktonfull.php . 2021-10-29 .
3. Buckton [née Williams], Catherine Mary (1826/7–1904), promoter of household science teaching]. 2020-11-22. 2004. en. 10.1093/ref:odnb/52270.
4. Book: Buckton, Catherine M.. Health in the house, 25 lectures. 1876. en.
5. Book: Buckton, Catherine M.. Our Dwellings, Healthy and Unhealthy .... 1885. Longmans, Green. en.
6. Web site: Catherine M Buckton - Our dwellings healthy and unhealthy : addressed to girls attending the Leeds Board Schools / by Catherine M. Buckton.. 2020-11-22. www.rct.uk. en.
7. Web site: FOOD AND HOME COOKERY by [EDUCATION.] BUCKTON, Catherine M.]. 2020-11-22. Deborah Coltham Rare Books. en-GB.
8. Web site: Catherine Mary Buckton (1826-1904) - They Lived in Leeds - Thoresby Society. 2020-11-22. www.thoresby.org.uk.
9. Book: Buckton, Catherine M.. Health in the house, 25 lectures. 1876. en.
10. Book: Buckton, Catherine M.. Town and window gardening, 16 lectures. 1879. en.