CAROLINE NORTON Meaning and
Definition
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Caroline Norton (1808-1877) was an English author, poet, social reformer, and feminist figure of the Victorian era. She is best known for her legal campaign for women's rights and contributions towards changing the laws of marriage and child custody in England.
Born Caroline Sheridan, she grew up in a literary and politically influential family. She married the prominent conservative politician George Norton at the young age of 19, and their tumultuous marriage became a catalyst for her activism. Norton endured years of abuse and was denied access to her children through the laws of coverture that granted men absolute power over their wives and children.
In response to her personal struggles, Norton campaigned tirelessly for the rights of women, playing a crucial role in changing legislation regarding divorce, child custody, and property rights. She wrote extensively on these subjects and used her writing to raise awareness and advocate for legal changes on behalf of women.
Her influential works include "A Letter to the Queen on Lord Chancellor Cranworth's Marriage and Divorce Bill" (1855) and "English Laws for Women in the Nineteenth Century" (1854) which highlighted the inequalities faced by women under the existing legal framework and called for reform.
Caroline Norton's activism greatly contributed to the eventual passing of the Matrimonial Causes Act of 1857 and the reform of divorce and child custody laws in England. Her courage and determination in challenging the patriarchal legal system have had a lasting impact on women's rights and continue to inspire feminist movements today.
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Etymology of CAROLINE NORTON
The term "Caroline Norton" does not have an etymology of its own as it is a proper name referring to a person. However, the name "Caroline" is of German origin and is derived from the Germanic name "Karl" meaning "free man" or "manly". The name "Norton" is an English surname of Anglo-Saxon origin, thought to be derived from a place name, possibly meaning "north settlement" or "north enclosure". Caroline Norton refers to a prominent 19th-century English author and social reformer.
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