Annie Pearson
(1860-1932)

woman, Viscountess Cowdray (1917-1932), and High Steward of Colchester (1927-1932)

Died aged 71

Annie Pearson, Viscountess Cowdray, GBE (née Cass; 4 June 1860 – 15 April 1932) was an English society hostess, suffragist and philanthropist. She was nicknamed the "Fairy Godmother of Nursing" due to her financial patronage of the Royal College of Nursing and her work to promote district nursing throughout England and Scotland. She served as the President of the Women's Liberal Federation from 1921 until 1923 and was also the Honorary Treasurer of the Liberal Women's Suffrage Union. She was the only woman to hold the office of High Steward of Colchester, serving from 1927 until her death in 1932.

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Commemorated on 1 plaque

By the munificient gifts of Viscount Cowdray High Steward of Colchester, Member of the Borough in Four Parliaments (1895 - 1910) and of Viscountess Cowdray. This Castle together with the Holly Trees Mansion and its extensive grounds part of the Ancient Castle demense were aquired in 1920 and 1922 by the Corporation of Colchester. These splendid possessions for the permanent benefit of the townspeople were bestowed upon Colchester by Viscount and Viscountess Cowdray as "a tribute ot their affection for the borough" and enabled the opening up and construction of the main entrance to the Castle Park from Cowdray Crescent inaugarated by Viscount Cowdray on the 24th May 1923, the honorary freedom of Colchester was presented to Viscount Cowdray on 15th October 1919 and was also specially conferred upon Viscountess Cowdray on 19th October 1922.

Castle Park, Colchester, United Kingdom where they gifted (1923)