Marian Fleming Harwood

Marian Fleming Harwood (9 March 1846 – 28 July 1934) was a Scottish-born Australian scholar, linguist, pacifist, and philanthropist.

Life, education and teaching career Marian Fleming Harwood was born on 9 March 1846 in Greenock, Renfrewshire, Scotland to Henry Reid, merchant, and his wife Catherine (born Barnett). She was raised in Belfast in a liberal environment as a pacifist and feminist. She took French lessons from her mother and learned German at the Belfast Academy.

Peace activist In 1907, with Rose Scott, she co-founded Sydney International Peace Society. Between 1909 and 1914, she served its vice-president. She played an important role in its activities until her death. She offered prizes to school children for writing essays on peace.

Feminist She was interested in feminist organizations. When she was in England, she observed the suffrage movement and wrote on the Australian women's movement in Christian Commonwealth. As a representative of the National Council of Women, Australia, she addressed in a conference of women held at Brussels and spoke about women's conditions in Australia.