Lawrence, Annie Jane (1863-1953), teacher of handicrafts

Annie Lawrence visited the United States with her brother Frederick (later Lord Pethick-Lawrence) in 1895 (F. W. Pethick-Lawrence, Fate Has Been Kind, p. 36), and accompanied him during part of his visit to that country in 1898 (PETH 5/30d, 5/30h, 6/7, 6/13, 6/21, 6/112).

‘One of the earliest residents of Letchworth, she built the Cloisters and used it as a centre of community life. There she taught handicrafts and in particular weaving; and some of the looms made in her workshop will be found in various villages in England. The Cloisters was utilized by the military during the war, and after its return to Miss Lawrence was presented by her to the Freemasons, together with an endowment.’ (The Times, 5 Aug. 1953.)

She died at Letchworth on 3 August 1953. (Ibid.)

The Times, 5 Aug. 1953