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Social reformer and suffragist Eleanor Rathbone MP (1872-1946) was arguably one of the greatest humanitarian activists of the 1930s and 40s. After campaigning on behalf of impoverished and disadvantaged people in Britain she went on to champion the cause of refugees fleeing persecution in Nazi-occupied Europe before and during the Second World War. Dubbed the 'MP for refugees', Rathbone saw the rescue of Jewish refugees as her own personal responsibility. Jane talks to Susan Cohen, author of a new book about this aspect of Rathbone’s life.
'Rescue the Perishing: Eleanor Rathbone and the Refugees' by Susan Cohen is published by Vallentine Mitchell, ISBN 978 0 85303 779 8.