Elizabeth Fry Elizabeth Fry Elizabeth Fry (née Gurney, often referred to as "Betsy"; 21 May 1780 – 12 October 1845) was an English prison reformer, social reformer and, as a Quaker, a Christian philanthropist. She has sometimes been referred to as the "angel of prisons". Fry was a major driving force behind new legislation to make the treatment of prisoners more humane, and she was supported in her efforts by Queen Victoria. She was depicted on the Bank of England £5 note from 2001–2016. Fry kept extensive and revealing diaries. Elizabeth Fry was born in Gurney Court, off Magdalen Street, Norwich, Norfolk,
Elizabeth Fry they could learn to sew and knit and once they were out of prison and then could earn money for themselves. This led to the eventual creation of the "British Ladies' Society for Promoting the Reformation of Female Prisoners" in 1821. She also promoted the idea of rehabilitation instead of harsh punishment which was taken on by the city authorities in London as well as many other authorities and prisons. In 1827, Fry visited women prisoners in Ireland (see "Memoirs of Mrs. Elizabeth Fry", Thomas Timpson, NY: Stanford & Swords, 1847, pp. 82-99). Elizabeth Fry also campaigned for the rights