Cyprus, although being on route towards the East, had proportionately few female visitors up to the 1870’s. An American mission in the 1830’s included two women: Lucinda Pease, who came with her husband, American missionary Lorenzo Pease to Cyprus in 1834 and Charlotte Ladd, also accompanying her husband, Daniel, to the island in 1836, remaining to help him with missionary work until September 1842.
Wealthy travellers in yachts cruised the Mediterranean, often anchoring at Larnaca. Amongst them were Lady Franklin and Ida Pfeiffer from Austria. However, the British acquisition of the island in 1878 changed the situation.
A number of women followed their husbands who were posted to Cyprus as military or administrative personnel. Mrs. Esme Scott-Stevenson joined her husband Capt. Andrew Scott-Stevenson, 42nd Royal Highlanders (The Black Watch) and district Commissioner of Kyrenia, within months of the acquisition. Agnes Smith visited in 1887 with a keen interest, reflected in her writing from the time, in the island’s history and educational standards. Magda Ohnefalsch Richter was absorbed in archaeological finds as well as the manners and customs of the locals. She and her husband recorded these in writing and through photography, while Mrs. Lewis and Lady Brassey were travellers with more general interests. Etheldred Allen made an effort to traverse the whole island, meticulously noting down all her impressions. It is obvious how women were claiming their interests and pursuits ever since the nineteenth century.
Cyprus lent itself to all interests, enjoyed fine weather and sunshine most months of the year, while living was inexpensive. Being part of the sterling area currency, it was unaffected by British exchange control regulations.
© Costas and Rita Severis Foundation
