Old records mostly wrote about men: kings, admirals and builders. That doesn't mean women weren't here! These are women connected to Portsmouth that we know about. Can you find out about more?
CB
Catherine of Braganza
Married here
She married King Charles II at the Royal Garrison Church in Portsmouth on 14 May 1662, after the Restoration.
SR
Susanna Rowson
1762–1824
Born in Portsmouth
A novelist, poet, playwright, stage actress and educator, born in Portsmouth in 1762. She wrote the 1791 novel Charlotte Temple, was an early supporter of education for women, and wrote against slavery.
FY
Frances Yates
1899–1981
Born in Southsea
A historian of the Renaissance, born in Southsea in 1899. She worked at the Warburg Institute in London from 1941 and wrote books such as The Art of Memory (1966).
OM
Olivia Manning
1908–1980
Born in North End
A novelist and poet, born in North End, Portsmouth, in 1908. She took evening classes at the Portsmouth Municipal School of Art, and her first published works, three detective novels, came out in parts in the Portsmouth News from 1929.
MM
Michelle Magorian
born 1947
Born in Portsmouth
A writer of children's books, born in Portsmouth. As a child she spent as much time as she could at the Kings Theatre in Southsea. Her novel Goodnight Mister Tom won the 1982 Guardian Prize for British children's books.
SD
Samantha Davies
born 1974
Born in Portsmouth
A yachtswoman, born in Portsmouth in 1974. She went to school at Portsmouth High School, and in 2008–2009 she sailed single-handed around the world in the Vendée Globe race, finishing fourth.
CM
Caitlin McClatchey
born 1985
Born in Portsmouth
A swimmer, born in Portsmouth in 1985. Swimming for Scotland, she won two gold medals at the 2006 Commonwealth Games, and she competed at three Olympic Games.