Elizabeth Bathurst

Elizabeth Bathurst (1655-1685) was an English Quaker preacher and theologian, and the author of one of the few early systematic accounts of Quaker beliefs. Life Bathurst was born in London, the eldest child of Charles Bathurst. She and her siblings became Quakers in 1678. Soon after her conversion to Quakerism, she interrupted worship at Samuel Annesley's Presbyterian chapel in London, speaking against the doctrine of reprobation. Later, she undertook several preaching tours, and was imprisoned at least once in the Marshalsea prison. Bathurst was recognised during her lifetime by the Quaker community as a gifted preacher. George Whitehead, who discussed her major work with her before its publication, commented on her "excellent gift, both of understanding, life and utterance". She has been described by historian Sarah Apetrei as "by far the most theologically sophisticated" of the numerous women leaders among early Quakers. According to her father's account of her life, Bathurst suffered "great weakness of body" from infancy.