English suffragette Emily Davison was BOTD in 1872. Born in London to a middle-class family, she worked as a teacher and governess to save money to attend Oxford Unversity, achieving first-class honours but prevented from graduating with a degree. She joined the Women’s Social and Political Union in 1906, eventually leaving her job to dedicate herself to the suffrage campaign. A fearless agitator, she became known for her militant actions, including planting bombs, setting fire to mailboxes, breaking windows, and hiding overnight in Parliament. Arrested nine times, she went on repeated hunger strikes and was force-fed nearly 50 times. In 1913, she was killed when she walked in front of King George V’s horse at the Royal Derby races. She died from her injuries a few days later, aged 40. Her funeral procession was attended by thousands of suffragettes, and she was hailed as a martyr for the suffragist movement. Historians continue to debate whether Davison meant to commit suicide or merely cause a disturbance by pinning the suffragette colours to the horse’s reins. Biographers have also speculated about Davison’s sexuality, and if her close friendship with fellow suffragette Mary Leigh was sexual in nature.