An Original Handwritten and Signed Letter by English writer, illustrator and active participant of the suffrage movement Laurence Housman to John Stanhope Arkwright MP Discussing women's suffrage. Dated 1909. Autograph Letter Signed, 'Laurence Housman', 1 Pembroke Cottages, Edwardes Square, Kensington, 24 April 1909, to Mr Arkwright [John Stanhope Arkwright, MP for Hereford], discussing women's suffrage, meetings, East Lulworth and 'I do not think the qualification we advocate is too low as it sets up what is on the whole a higher standard, owing to the economic disadvantage of women, than that required of men voters, and would only enfranchise one woman to 4 or 5 men. Living under a democracy you cannot go back to oligarchic arguments', a couple of minor ink smudges, on personal stationery, with accompanying envelope. Laurence Housman 1865 – 1959 was an English playwright, writer and illustrator whose career stretched from the 1890s to the 1950s. He studied art in London and worked largely as an illustrator during the first years of his career, before shifting focus to writing. He was a younger brother of the poet A. E. Housman and his sister and fellow activist in the women's suffrage movement was writer/illustrator Clemence Housman. Sir John Stanhope Arkwright (10 July 1872 – 19 September 1954) was a British Conservative Party politician and he was the great-great grandson of the cotton-spinning industrialist Sir Richard Arkwright. Size is 200mm x 125mm. Condition is good. Light crease. Envelope with age toning and light marking.