From Suffragette to Fascist

Nina Boyd's From Suffragette to Fascist explores the complex life of Mary Allen, from suffragette to controversial political figure, revealing her extraordinary journey.

In From Suffragette to Fascist, Nina Boyd delves into the remarkable life of Mary Allen, a woman whose journey took her from radical activism to controversial political affiliations. Drawing on newly released documents from the Home Office and insights from Mary’s family, Boyd paints a vivid portrait of a woman who was once a window-smashing suffragette and later became a trailblazing policewoman. Mary played a crucial role in establishing Britain’s first female police force and was recognized for her efforts during the First World War, where she policed munitions factories and bombed cities, earning her both accolades and ire from the establishment.

As the narrative unfolds, we see how Mary’s life took unexpected turns, particularly after her encounter with Hitler, which led her to join Oswald Mosley’s British Union of Fascists. Her actions, including unauthorized travels in her police uniform and her controversial connections, drew the attention of both foreign leaders and the British government. Mary’s adventurous spirit and defiance of societal norms led her to form a private army of women, all while maintaining an extravagant lifestyle funded by her relationships with wealthy heiresses.

Despite her significant contributions, Mary Allen's legacy is often clouded by her later eccentricities and political choices. Nina Boyd’s thorough research and engaging storytelling in From Suffragette to Fascist provide a comprehensive look at a complex figure whose life challenges the boundaries of activism and ideology.