Anne Lister
(1791-1840)
woman and entrepreneur
Died aged c. 49
Wikidata WikipediaAnne Lister (3 April 1791 – 22 September 1840) was an English diarist, famous for revelations for which she was dubbed "the first modern lesbian". Lister was from a minor landowning family at Shibden in Calderdale, West Riding of Yorkshire, and conducted multiple lesbian affairs from her schooldays onwards, often on long trips abroad. Muscular and masculine in appearance, dressed only in black, and highly educated, she was later known, generally unkindly, as "Gentleman Jack". Her final significant relationship was with Ann Walker, to whom she was notionally married in Holy Trinity Church, Goodramgate, York, now celebrated as the birthplace of lesbian marriage in Britain. Lister's diaries reveal much about contemporary life in West Yorkshire, including her development of historic Shibden Hall, and her interests in landscaping, mining, railways, and canals. Many entries were written in code that was not decrypted until long after her death. These graphic portrayals of lesbianism were so frank that they were thought to be a hoax until their authenticity was confirmed.
DbPedia
Commemorated on 4 plaques
On Easter Sunday 1834, Anne Lister and Ann Walker had their marriage solemnised in Holy Trinity Church. Anne Lister - widely known as Gentleman Jack - recorded in her diary: 'The first time I ever joined Miss W[alker] in my prayers - I had prayed that our union might be happy'.
Holy Trinity Church, 70 Goodramgate, York, United Kingdom where they was married at (1834)
Anne Lister 1791-1840 Gender-nonconforming entrepreneur. Celebrated marital commitment, without legal recognition, to Ann Walker in this church. Easter, 1834.
Holy Trinity Church, Goodramgate , York, United Kingdom where they was married at (1834)
Anne Lister 1791-1840 diarist, businesswoman, landowner, traveller and lesbian who recorded much of her personal life in a secret code. She lived at Shibden Hall from 1815 to 1840
Shibden Hall, Halifax, United Kingdom where they lived
Anne Lister 1791-1840 of Shibden Hall, Halifax Lesbian and Diarist; took sacrament here to seal her union with Ann Walker Easter 1834
Holy Trinity Church, Goodramgate, York, United Kingdom where they was