Harriet Finlay-Johnson

Harriet Finlay-Johnson or Harriet Johnson or Harriet Weller (12 March 1871 – 1956) was a British educationalist and schoolteacher known for encouraging children to create dramas to improve their education.

Life Finlay-Johnson was born in Hampstead in 1871. Her parents were Thomas Connolly and Jane (born FitzPatrick) Johnson. Harriet and her sister Emily both became teachers. She qualified in 1892 after working for eight years at St Mary's School, Willesden. The approach at the school was not based on control but in empowering the children with educational visits. By 1903 she was one of twelve teachers chosen to serve on an advisory board on elementary education in her county. However Harriet did nor resign until 21 January 1910 and another woman had previously resigned from the school due to becoming married. George was in business and he lived until 1952 whilst Harriet died in 1956. They are buried in St Mary's churchyard in Sompting. Johnson's life has been the subject of a biography by Mary Bowmaker.