Her brother in law, Thomas Fowell Buxton, was a Member of Parliament, and Elizabeth Fry became the first woman to give evidence to the House of Commons committee, when she presented her findings on the state of prisons in England.

After seeing the body of a homeless boy on the streets of Brighton, Fry set up a ‘night shelter’ for the homeless and destitute.

In 1840 Fry opened a training school for nurses. Her programme inspired Florence Nightingale who took a team of Fry's nurses to assist wounded soldiers in the Crimean War.

It is reported that over 1,000 people stood in silence at the graveside as Elizabeth Fry’s body was buried, proving her to be a powerful and influential woman and role model.

Plaques commemorating
the 'Angel of Newgate Prison'.