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Margaret Fell

Margaret Fell (1614–1702) was an English preacher and a foundational figure in the Religious Society of Friends, commonly known as Quakers, earning her the title "Mother of Quakerism." Born Margaret Askew in 1614 at Marsh Grange, Dalton-in-Furness, Lancashire, she was the daughter of John Askew, a wealthy landowner, and Margaret Pyper. In 1632, at age 17, she married Thomas Fell, a barrister and later a judge and Member of Parliament, becoming mistress of Swarthmoor Hall and bearing nine children, eight of whom survived to adulthood. Her life changed dramatically in 1652 when she encountered George Fox, a charismatic preacher, at her local church in Ulverston. His message of the "Inner Light" and spiritual equality deeply moved her, leading to her convincement and the transformation of Swarthmoor Hall into a hub for the early Quaker movement. Fell’s preaching career was marked by her tireless advocacy for Quaker beliefs, including her defense of women’s ministry, most notably in her 1666 pamphlet Women’s Speaking Justified, which argued scripturally for women’s right to preach. She preached across England, often facing persecution, and was imprisoned multiple times: first in 1664–1668 at Lancaster Castle for hosting Quaker meetings and refusing to take an oath, and again in 1670–1671 for violating the Conventicle Act. After Thomas’s death in 1658, she married George Fox in 1669, solidifying her leadership role. She authored over 16 works, including letters and tracts, and established the Kendal Fund to support imprisoned Quakers. Fell died on April 23, 1702, and was buried in an unmarked grave at Sunbrick Quaker burial ground, leaving a legacy as a preacher who shaped Quaker theology and organization through her courage and conviction.