Katharine Elliot was created Baroness Elliot of Harwood (a life peerage) in 1958. She was the third woman to be admitted to the House of Lords, the first two peeresses having been created the previous day.
Esther Edith Knowles was born in London on 18 January 1895, the daughter of George Knowles, a builder (later a printer's assistant), and his wife Esther Annie, and was baptised at St Giles in the Fields, Holborn, on 24 March. She had two sisters, Ellen Mary (1892-1963) and Lottie Lucy (1896-1988).
She began working for Fred and Emmeline (later Lord and Lady) Pethick-Lawrences in 1911 (see PETH 6/205), and became one of their two principal secretaries.
She died in Harrow on 8 May 1974, following a road accident.
Founded 1911, as the Empire Parliamentary Association. Renamed 1948.
Knighted 1928
Knighted 1969