Academics have been awarded £400,000 for new research into the life of Cornwall-born reformer Emily Hobhouse.

Born the daughter of the rector of St Ive in 1860, Emily Hobhouse won fame – and notoriety – for her efforts to help women and children imprisoned in concentration camps in South Africa by the British during the Boer War (1899-1902).

She later campaigned against the First World War, fought for votes for women and helped to launch the Save the Children Fund.

Now a number of universities are combining in The Emily Hobhouse Letters project, backed by the Arts and Humanities Research Council with a grant of £400,000.

The University of Huddersfield’s Dr Rebecca Gill – who specialises in the history of humanitarian organisations – is part of the three-year project that will analyse Emily’s correspondence.

Dr Gill is teaming up with other scholars and their research will lead to a book and to a touring exhibition.