Deborah Darby

Deborah Darby (25 August 1754 – 14 February 1810) was a British Quaker minister and traveller based in Coalbrookdale, Shropshire.

Life Darby was born in 1754 in Upperthorpe, Sheffield. She was one of the six children of Hannah (born Wilson) and John Barnard who was a tanner. She was brought up with a good education and knowledge of the Christian faith.

She had three more children and two survived childbirth, Samuel in 1779 and Edmund in 1782. She began to travel and to preach.

Darby continued to travel and preach and returned to Coalbrookdale where she met Priscilla Gurney who was also a travelling Quaker minister. Elizabeth Fry who was trying to plan her life It was at this meeting that Elizabeth Fry realised that she was going to be a Quaker. She would later credit William Savery, Darby and Gurney with influencing her decision to devote her life to good works.

Darby died in Coalbrookdale in 1810 and was buried beside her husband.