Edith Summerskill Plaque

About This Blue Plaque

Edith Summerskill, Baroness Summerskill of Kenwood, was a pioneering British feminist, politician, and writer who lived from 1901 to 1980. Born Edith Clara Meadowcroft in London, she married Dr. Jeffrey Samuel Summerskill in 1925 and adopted his surname. Summerskill studied medicine at King’s College London and the Charing Cross Hospital Medical School, becoming a doctor in 1924.

Summerskill entered politics in 1938 when she was elected as a Labour Member of Parliament for Fulham West. She served in this role until 1955, championing women’s rights and campaigning for equal pay, family allowances, and the provision of free school meals. In 1945, Summerskill was appointed as a government minister, becoming one of the first women to hold such a position in the UK. She served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food from 1945 to 1950 and as Minister of National Insurance from 1950 to 1951.

After leaving the House of Commons in 1955, Summerskill was elevated to the peerage as Baroness Summerskill of Kenwood in 1961. She continued her advocacy for women’s rights and became a prominent voice in the House of Lords. Summerskill was also a prolific writer, authoring several books on women’s health and social issues, including “A Woman’s World” (1967) and “The Ignoble Art” (1976).

This blue plaque commemorating Baroness Summerskill is located at 30 Millfield Lane in the Highgate area of London, where she resided for many years. The plaque was unveiled in 2019, honoring her significant contributions to British politics and society. Highgate, situated in the Borough of Haringey, has been home to numerous notable figures throughout history, and the presence of this plaque serves as a reminder of the area’s rich cultural heritage.