Elizabeth Balfour

Elizabeth Edith Balfour, Countess of Balfour (née Lady Elizabeth Bulwer-Lytton; 12 June 1867 – 28 March 1942) was a British suffragette, politician, and writer. A staunch Conservative, she served as Dame President of the Woking Habitation of the Primrose League and was a founding member of the Conservative and Unionist Women's Franchise Association, serving as president of the association's chapter in Edinburgh. After the 1910 Conciliation Bill failed to pass in the House of Commons, she went on a speaking tour across the United Kingdom to rally support for women's suffrage. In 1919, Lady Balfour became the first woman to sit on the Woking Borough Council.

Early life and family Lady Balfour was born Elizabeth Edith Bulwer-Lytton at Hyde Park Gate on 12 June 1867 to The Honourable Robert Bulwer-Lytton, a poet and diplomat, and Edith Villiers, a lady-in-waiting to Queen Victoria. Her father later served as the British Ambassador to France. and, in 1911, she chaired a meeting in Nairn where Emmeline Pankhurst was the speaker.

Writing Lady Balfour wrote a history of her father's administration in India, titled The History of Lord Lytton's Indian Administration, 1876 to 1880, before his death in 1891. Her husband served as the Chief Secretary of Ireland and as President of the Board of Trade.

They had five daughters and one son: Lady Eleanor Balfour (1890 – d. after 1980) Lady Ruth Balfour (d. 30 August 1967) Lady Mary Edith Balfour (d. 21 January 1894 – 1980) Lady Evelyn Barbara "Eve" Balfour (16 July 1898 – 1990) Robert Arthur Lytton Balfour, 3rd Earl of Balfour (31 December 1902 – 28 November 1968) Lady Kathleen Constance Blanche Balfour (1912 – 20 August 1996).

In 1900, they moved to Woking, Surrey. They hired Gertrude Jekyll to design the gardens. The Balfours moved in to the house, Fisher Hill, in 1901. They hosted many social and musical gatherings and parties at the house.

Through her husband's social connections, she became associated with the elite social and intellectual group The Souls. She was a talented musician and became a close friend of the composer and suffragist Dame Ethel Smyth, who was also her neighbour.

Her husband succeeded his brother as Earl of Balfour in 1930, at which time she became the Countess of Balfour.

Death and legacy Lady Balfour died of a perforated duodenal ulcer on 28 March 1942 at Fisher's Hill's cottage in Woking.

Balfour road in Westfield is named after her.