Upper-Class Women, Their Gardens and Outdoor Spaces 1860 - 1920

Abstract

This dissertation explores upper-class women’s interactions with garden and outdoor spaces 1860-1920. It does this by using newspapers and the press as its main primary source base, focusing on the representation of upper-class women in these spaces. At a time when society was changing for women generally, socially and economically, these had an impact on how these women were interacting with and using gardens and outdoor spaces. The dissertation begins by focusing on the different types and classifications of garden spaces, examining the public garden, the outdoor domestic space, and public parks. Then, the discussion moves on to focusing on the domestic outdoor space, examining how upper-class women utilised these spaces for their own endeavours, including philanthropy. Finally, the dissertation explores the non-domestic outdoor space, examining how these spaces were used for similar events as the domestic spaces, but with different connotations.