Margaret Backhouse (Quaker)

Margaret Backhouse (1651-1698) was an English Quaker preacher and writer. Born Margaret Fell in Swarthmoor Hall, Lancashire, she was the daughter of Judge Thomas Fell and Margaret Fell (later Fox). Raised in a household central to the early Quaker movement, she was deeply influenced by the religious beliefs and practices of the Society of Friends from a young age.

Margaret Backhouse was an active participant in Quaker ministry, travelling extensively to preach and share her faith. Her journeys often took her across England, and she faced persecution and imprisonment for her beliefs. Like many early Quakers, she challenged societal norms and religious establishments.

Margaret Backhouse married William Backhouse, a Quaker from Yorkshire, in 1681. This union further connected her to prominent Quaker families and broadened her sphere of influence within the Society of Friends. Despite the demands of family life, she continued her ministry and remained a respected voice within the Quaker community.

She is remembered for her contributions to the development and spread of Quakerism in England. Her unwavering commitment to her faith and her willingness to endure hardship for her beliefs serve as an inspiration to many. While fewer of her writings are easily accessible compared to those of her mother, her life and work are documented in Quaker records and historical accounts of the period.