Fry, ELIZABETH, born May 21, 1780, was the third daughter of John Gurney, Esq., of Earlham Hall, near Norwich, a rich banker, and a member of the Society of Friends. Her mother died when she was twelve years old, leaving four sons and seven daughters. The sisters grew up attractive and original. They dressed gaily, and sang and danced.
Till Elizabeth was eighteen she had no decided religious opinions. In February 1798 a discourse she heard in the Friends' meeting-house at Norwich by William Savery, an American Friend, made a deep impression on her, and led her to wish to become a 'plain Friend.' From this time her natural loving care for others was greater than before. She worked much among the poor, and began a school for poor children, which she managed entirely herself, even when the number of scholars increased to more than seventy. In August 1800 she married Joseph Fry, of Plashet, Essex, then engaged in extensive business with his brother in London. She lived with her husband in his house of business, St Mildred's Court, City of London, till 1809, when, on the death of her father-in-law, she removed to Plashet. Five children were born to her in London, and six more at Plashet. In 1810 she became a preacher among the Friends. In February 1813 she visited Newgate for the first time, and saw 300 women, tried and untried, with their numerous children, without employment, in an almost lawless state, crowded together in rags and dirt, with no bedding, and nothing but the floor to sleep on. She could do no more than supply them with clothes, but, within a few years, by her efforts, a school and a manufacture were established in the prison, a Ladies' Association was formed for 'the improvement of the female prisoners,' religious instruction was regularly given to them, a matron was appointed, and the women willingly submitted to rules for their well-being. Prison reform now became one great object of Mrs Fry's life. She visited prisons in different parts of the kingdom and on the Continent, and introduced many improvements in their management and discipline. She also did a great deal to improve the condition of the female convicts sentenced to transportation. Through her influence libraries were begun in the naval hospitals and the coastguard stations, and Bibles were supplied to them. She died at Rams-gate, October 12, 1845, and was buried at Barking, Essex. Mrs Fry was a true-hearted, loving woman, peculiarly gifted for the difficult work she had to do by her sympathy, swift insight, tact, and charm of manner. See the Life by her daughters (2 vols. 1847); that by Mrs Pitman (1884); and Hare's Gurneys of Earlham (1895).