Elizabeth (Bessie) Burden

13 December 1841 – 22 August 1924

Needle-woman and teacher.

Some Key Achievements and Interests

Worked as an accomplished embroiderer for ‘The Firm’ (Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Co). Helped stitch the medieval hangings at Red House.

Taught privately as her home at 26 Queen Square, Bloomsbury (the home of her sister Janey Morris and brother-in-law, William).

1873 Started teaching embroidery at the Royal School of Needlework (RSN)* but left after a short period returning to teach there from 1875-1877.

Popularised a tapestry stitch renamed the ‘Burden Stitch’ in the RSN’s Handbook of Embroidery. See Angel Minstrel with Cymbals c1885 held at the William Morris Gallery: Home – William Morris Gallery (wmgallery.org.uk)

1876 Submitted a set of furnishings she had supervised to the Philadelphia Exhibition receiving a Certificate of Award.

1888 Exhibited at the Arts & Crafts Exhibition Society.

Issues

Was a strong woman and held out for the pay and conditions she considered appropriate. She also refused to have her name associated with work she deemed inferior that was to appear in public.

Came into conflict with the RSN for her refusal to compromise on these issues.

Connection to Bloomsbury

Worked at The Firm at 26 Queen Square, Bloomsbury.

1871 Lived at 26 Queen Square.

1873 Lived at 100 Southampton Row, Russell Square, Bloomsbury.

Further Reading

Burden, Elizabeth; Elizabeth Burden – Wikipedia

Hulse, Lynn; Elizabeth Burden and the Royal School of Needlework Lynn Hulse  

*The Royal School of Needlework as founded in 1872 by Victoria Welby wit the aim of reviving the art and providing employment for ‘distressed Gentlewomen’.