Sir and Lady Dilke’s Ewer

In inventorying the contents of St Luke’s and Christ Church (thank you to the volunteers who have helped with this!) I have been struck by the array of objects in our churches given in memory of loved ones, from bookshelves to pavement stones.

These sometimes overlooked items can be gateways to fascinating stories of remarkable individuals. One such object is this silver ewer in regular use at St Luke’s, engraved with the names ‘Charles and Emily Dilke’.

Sir Charles Wentworth Dilke, 2nd Baronet (1843-1911), was a Chelsea MP and a keen supporter of the labour and feminist movements of the period. He was considered one of the most brilliant radical statesmen of his time and many believed he would be the next Prime Minister. In 1885, he became embroiled in the high-profile divorce suit of Virginia and Thomas Crawford (MP) and his political career never recovered. His wife, Emilia Francis Strong, later Lady Dilke (1840-1904) was a brilliant writer and art historian who, like her husband, advocated for social reform. She was involved in the women’s trade union movement and helped establish the first Women’s Trade Union League in 1874.

Written by Louisa Price

Sir Charles Wentworth Dilke, 2nd Bt; Emilia Francis (née Strong), Lady Dilke

by W. & D. Downey, published by Cassell & Company, Ltd
carbon print, published 1894