Audio talk: The amazing life and story of Margaret Graham, Abney's Aeronaut

Listen to Rowan Lennon’s talk on the amazing life and story of Margaret Graham, Abney's Aeronaut, who is laid to rest in our cemetery, sadly without monument. Update, May 2022: that’s now about to change as we’re raising money for a memorial. Donate here.

Margaret Graham (c. 1804 – c. 1864),[1] formerly Margaret Watson, was the first British woman to make a solo balloon flight, a feat which she accomplished in 1826.[2]

She was born in Walcot, Bath, and married the pioneer balloonist George Graham, with whom she first flew on 2 June 1824, when he made an ascent from White Conduit Gardens in Islington, London.[2] They had three daughters, who would later also make balloon flights with her from about 1850 onwards.[3]

On 28 June 1826, a flight was planned in which Mrs Graham and a woman named Jane Stocks were due to ascend from White Conduit Gardens.[4] However, Jane Stocks did not in the end go with her, and this was the first solo flight by a British female pilot.[2] Margaret's career as a balloonist lasted for more than thirty years in total.[5]

On 7 August 1850, a balloon in which Mrs Graham was travelling caught fire following its descent near Edmonton,[6] London, but she survived the accident.[7] In the same year, she made the first night-time ascent in a balloon that had been undertaken by a woman, in a balloon launched from Vauxhall Gardens.[8] In 1851, she and her husband made a commemorative flight during the Great Exhibition.[9]

Despite her risky profession Margaret Graham died peacefully of old age in 1880 and is laid to rest in Abney Park.

References

[1] "Graham, Margaret". Who's Who of Ballooning. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
[2] Mark Davies (2015). King of All Balloons. Amberley. pp. 280–282. ISBN 9781445653082.
[3] Charles Paul May (1962). Women in aeronautics. Nelson.
[4] "Mrs. Graham". The Sydney Monitor. XII (996). New South Wales, Australia. 15 February 1837. p. 4 (EVENING). Retrieved 2 December 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
[5] Gavin Stamp (1 December 2013). Anti-Ugly: Excursions in English Architecture and Design. Aurum Press. pp. 225–. ISBN 978-1-78131-123-3.
[6] "Balloon Ascents". Victorian London. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
[7] "'Mrs Graham's Balloon on Fire', c 1850". Science and Society. Retrieved 9 June 2018. [8] "Balloons". Vauxhall History. 28 January 2012. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
[9] "Balloon ascent from the Piece Hall". Halifax Courier. 15 November 2007. Retrieved 9 June 2018.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Graham_(balloonist)

We need your continued support

We’re seeking donations to help Abney Park Trust curate a series of events, audio tours and publications on Abney as part of our mission to promote Abney’s history, wildlife and role in the community. We’re also looking to raise funds for our monument restoration programme. Please support us so we can continue in the care and promotion of this beautiful space.