Esther Wood

Esther Wood (, born 1866, died 1952/3) was an English art critic and journalist who wrote Dante Rossetti and the Pre-Raphaelite Movement. She was also a political activist as an early member of the Fabian Society and the Independent Labour Party.

Biography Wood was born Esther Walker in 1866 in London, England. She was the daughter of Henry Walker FGS. In 1891, she was awarded the Crawshay prize for two essays on Percy Bysshe Shelley. Wood also edited the works of George Eliot, providing introductions for her novels, and wrote numerous articles for journals and magazines principally on subjects relating to art or poetry.

Wood was an early member of both the socialist organisation the Fabian Society and the Independent Labour Party (ILP), and also joined the Pharos Club. In 1902/03, she served on the executive of the Fabian Society. She also chaired the Chelsea ILP branch.