Weston, Agnes (1840–1918)

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Weston, Agnes (1840–1918)

English philanthropist. Name variations: Dame Agnes Elizabeth Weston; Aggie Weston; Mother Weston. Born Mar 26, 1840, in London, England; died Oct 23, 1918, in Devonport, England; dau. of Charles Henry Weston (barrister) and Sarah Agnes Weston.

Philanthropist who founded Sailors' Rests in England, became active in temperance movement; started coffee bar in Bath for men of 2nd Somerset Militia; with Sophia Gertrude Wintz, opened 1st Sailors' Rest restaurant and hostel on Fore Street, Devonport (1876), which was an enormous success; opened another establishment at Portsmouth; though the Rests were intended to be temperance houses, welcomed all sailors, housing over 1,600 men each night; was publicly recognized for work when Queen Victoria endowed a room at Devonport and gave permission for prefix "Royal" to be added to name (1895); printed monthly letter to be distributed to those at sea, with circulation rising to 60,000 by 1918; published journal Ashore and Afloat; buried with full naval honors. Made Dame of the British Empire (1918).

See also Doris Gulliver, Dame Agnes Weston (Phillimore, 1971).

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