When Courage Calls: Josephine Butler and the Radical Pursuit of Justice for Women

This is a well-written, thorough, and thoughtful biography of one of history's forgotten heroines. I can't believe I've never heard of Josephine Butler. This book is both heartbreaking and inspiring, portraying how Butler's faith, family, and marriage motivated her to help the under-served even as she faced enormous personal difficulties. I will be recommending it to all of my friends.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free eARC; I post this review with my honest opinions. This review is cross-posted to Goodreads and Amazon.

Josephine Butler (1828-1906), an early heroine of British feminism, is best known for campaigning against the 19th-century Contagious Diseases Acts (which legalised women suspected of working as prostitutes being forcibly examined for venereal disease, and detained until cured if infected) and was instrumental in these being repealed.

This new biography, by cultural historian Sarah C. Williams, focuses on Josephine Butler's spirituality, and argues that her Christian faith was intrinsic to her pursuit of social reform. Williams suggests that this religious element appeared "problematic" to later generations of feminists, while conversely Butler was also "too feminist for the Christian camp." This, argues Williams, has led to Butler being a rather neglected figure, relative to her achievements, though the tide is starting to turn. (There might also be an element of squeamishness about the issues Butler campaigned about- a figure like Florence Nightingale is easier to do a school assembly about).

I liked the author's passionate belief in the significance of Josephine Butler - "This woman needs to be known and her voice heard". I also liked that the book engaged with Butler on her own terms, for example, the importance of prayer to her way of life and way of thinking. It made an argument for her continued relevance to contemporary issues without seeking to present her as preternaturally modern. The book also raises an interesting methodological issue: how to study and examine something as personal and intimate as prayer, especially when the evidence is "partial and limited."

While I already admired Josephine Butler, having seen a documentary about her a few years ago, I learnt a lot from this in-depth biography. What Butler was contending with is still shocking. This anecdote stood out: "In April 1870 she met a prostitute who had chosen to go to prison rather than submit to the terms of the Acts. Butler heard how the magistrate who committed the woman to prison had a few days earlier paid her several shillings for sex. Butler responded by writing to all the magistrates she knew who had consorted with women to inform them that if they did not stop persecuting these women, she would speak openly about the nature of their relationships with these girls."

The book mixes traditional, chronological biography and in-depth academic analysis. It is not an "easy read", but it has a fascinating subject in Josephine Butler, is thought-provoking, and makes a strong central argument for the importance of her faith.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy.

A biography of one of history's forgotten feminist campaigners, Josephine Butler nee Grey, which centers on Butler's deep religious faith. Josephine's belief in God was one of the mainstays of her life & a well of inspiration & strength throughout. Whether it was campaigning for the increasing of the age of consent or the fight to overturn the deeply misogynistic 'Contagious Diseases Act 1864', her faith was intertwined with her political work. In fact this is given by the author as one of the reasons why Josephine Butler is no longer a household name - she was considered by later feminists as too religious & by Christians as too feminist & so her legacy was allowed to fade into the background.

What an interesting read! I wasn't familiar with Josephine Butler before reading this, but what a courageous lady she turned out to be. Alongside a small number of friends & acquaintances, she took on the British 'establishment' (& some in other countries), at the cost of former friends & even physical threats from those whose livelihood in the trafficking of young girls & women for the sex trade she was threatening. Butler even found time to write several books including one on the life of the Christian saint, Catherine of Siena. This is a well-researched, well-written account of a formidable woman who deserves to be remembered.

My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, John Murray Press/Hodder & Stoughton, for the opportunity to read an ARC.