Ebenezer Howard’s great granddaughter’s search to find out who her ancestors were has led to the release of a new book about her grandmother’s rags to riches journey.  

Ursula Howard, great granddaughter of Welwyn and Letchworth Garden Citys' founder, wrote a book titled Bessie Quinn, Survivor Spirit. 

The book tells Bessie's story, starting with her Scottish background through to her joining the Garden City movement.  

Ursula said: “Ebenezer Howard was a visionary man and someone that made dreams come true. They were dreams for a better life for poor people to live in better conditions and for the betterment of people and to live alongside each other in harmony rather than in conflict. That was his dream.  

“As it happens, his son Cecil married a woman who grew up in terrible poverty in Scotland. She was from an Irish family and in a way, he played an important role in turning her life from rags to riches."

Ebenezer Howard took care of his family, including his grandchildren - one of which was Ursula’s father Geoffrey Howard - while working towards his WGC goals. Welwyn Hatfield Times: Bessie in a white apron on childhood street, Halliburton Place, Galashiels, 1890.Bessie in a white apron on childhood street, Halliburton Place, Galashiels, 1890. (Image: Ursula Howard)

“Sadly, Bessie died of the Spanish flu just a year before WGC was founded in 1920 and after that he looked after his grandchildren in WGC.” 

On her journey to writing this book, Ursula said: “When my grandmother Bessie died, her husband Cecil was so upset and beside himself with grief that she was never mentioned again, and the children grew up with this sick mother who they lost and knew nothing about. Welwyn Hatfield Times: Family outing, Herne Bay Pier 1910s, taken by Bessie Quinn.Family outing, Herne Bay Pier 1910s, taken by Bessie Quinn. (Image: Ursula Howard)

“I wanted to find out who she was because she had been this sort of legend all my life, and a myth and I just wanted to find out who she was because she is part of my flesh and blood.” 

A key part in the making of the book was when Ursula's father Geoffrey began to look back over time and wondered who his mother was, so Ursula and her father set off to find out.  

“We started to work together but he died when we hadn’t found out very much. So, I started to find out more seriously much later and it was a huge research project because she didn’t leave anything behind, so we had nothing to go on.  

“So in a way, the book also talks about the importance of your ancestors and on how you write family history when you haven’t got any writing on it. I had one photograph to start with and slowly got three, so it was a real challenge. I wanted to find out who I was. It’s like a piece of a jigsaw missing.” Welwyn Hatfield Times: Ebenezer Howard in his 50s, at the time of his Keswick lecture.Ebenezer Howard in his 50s, at the time of his Keswick lecture. (Image: Ursula Howard)

Ursula added: “I got my dad to write a little memoire before he passed, and I sort of stopped research over time but in the last few years and during the COVID pandemic I went hard at it. It has been a long labour of love but five years later, I have completed the book.” 

A book launch will be held at the Welwyn Garden City Library on Thursday, December 8, at 7.30pm where Ursula will do a reading. 

Tickets to the event can be bought at the library or online.