Annie Henrietta Yorke

Annie Henrietta Yorke ( de Rothschild; also known as Hon. Mrs. Eliot Yorke; 1844–1926) was an English philanthropist and temperance reformer. She was one of the best-known social workers in South Hampshire, being especially interested in temperance and education. As president, vice-president, or patron, Yorke was probably associated with more organisations in Southampton than any other woman of her era.

Early life and education Anne (nickname, "Annie") Henrietta de Rothschild was born in London on December 9, 1844.

She was educated at home by private tutors.

She was also president of many smaller affiliated temperance societies.

Yorke's involvement with educational activities included classes at the Jews' Free School, membership in the Education Committee of Hampshire County Council, and for a period of time, being the only woman to serve as a member of the Council of University College, Southampton.

With her sister Constance, Lady Battersea, also a noted temperance advocate, Yorke wrote The History and Literature of the Israelites.

The two sisters were close companions. They both visited the East End of London frequently, and worked to improve the lives of the poor people amongst whom they went. They were largely instrumental in forming the Jewish Ladies' Society for Prevention and Rescue Work, later known as the Jewish Association for the Protection of Girls and Women.

Various reading and recreation rooms, including those at Butlocks and Old Netley, the White Rose Coffee House in Netley, and a refreshment room at Netley railway station were financed by her. She was also a keen supporter of the YMCA and the YWCA.

Personal life

On Feb. 14, 1873, she married the Hon. Eliot Constantine Yorke (died 1878), son of the Charles Yorke, 4th Earl of Hardwicke and Member of Parliament for Cambridgeshire.

The couple was childless.

After the death of her husband, Yorke inherited the property of Hamble Cliff, Netley, Southampton, from her father-in-law and resided there for the greater part of each year until her death. The house, built by Sir Arthur Paget, though small, had many attributes of a larger one, and the grounds, shelving down to the waterside, were planted with trees, revealing glimpses of the distant shore and the busy in waterway. A wealth of roses bloomed in summer months. Yorke did a great deal in the interests of the estate, and took a great she threw in the garden. During World War I, she opened the grounds to the patients and staff at the Royal Victoria Military Hospital, British Red Cross, and Welsh Hospital. Large quantities of flowers and fruit grown on the estate were sent to the wards. Yorke took a keen interest in the Hospital, having an almost daily habit of visiting while staying at Hamble Cliff.

Death Annie Henrietta Yorke died at Netley, on November 21, 1926. Interment was at Willesden Jewish Cemetery.

Selected works The history and literature of the Israelites according to the Old Testament and the Apocrypha (with Constance Flower), 1870 (volume 1) & (vollume 2)