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Emily Letitia (Sissie) Paul (1866–1917)

This article was published:

Sissi Paul, n.d.

Sissi Paul, n.d.

Emily Letitia (Sissie) Paul, née Mutton (1866-1917) artist and Socialist 

Birth: 1866 at Bathurst, New South Wales, daughter of Edward Henry Mutton (1839-1920), storekeeper and farmer, born at Mutton Falls, Fish River, NSW, and his first wife Anne, née Palmer (d.c.1878). Marriage: 1886 in Sydney to Alfred Paul (1844-1925). They had two sons. Death: 26 January 1917 at St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney; late of Dee Why, NSW. Religion: Methodist. 

  • Was an accomplished landscape painter. Provided with economic security and freedom to pursue interests by her husband, in early 1890s she attended art classes at the Royal Art Society and studied art at Julian Ashton’s Sydney Art School with Thea Proctor. Was an original member of NSW Society of Artists in 1895.
  • In 1908 she left Australia to study in Paris and London, exhibiting work there and in New York. During a three-year stay in the United States of America, she was influenced by Socialist and feminist ideas.
  • Returned to Australia in 1914. Joined Society of Women Artists. In 1915 became manager of the Australian art section of Grace Brothers store, Sydney. Joined the Australian Socialist Party in early 1914.
  • Contested Federal seat of Cook on socialist platform in 1914, receiving 500 votes (the first woman to run as a candidate of a socialist party in Australia). Became prominent Socialist public speaker at the Domain and elsewhere.
  • Although strong anti-conscriptionist, in 1916 she objected on class grounds to efforts by Betsy Matthias and other members of Women's Peace Army to unite all women to oppose war.
  • In June 1916 she resigned her post at Grace Brothers through ill health (diabetes).
  • Was a friend of W. J. Chidley, eccentric.
  • Her husband was sometime head of the Public School Cadet Forces.
  • Oswald Edward (Mick) Paul (1888-1949), artist for Bulletin, Sydney Worker and Smith's Weekly, was her son.
  • Cause of death: diabetes.

Sources
H. J. Gibbney & Ann G. Smith A Biographical Register 1788-1939, vol 2 (Canberra, 1987); Joy Damousi, Socialist Women in Australia, c.1890-c.1918, Ph.D thesis, ANU, 1987; International Socialist, 11 July 1914.

Additional Resources and Scholarship

  • profile, Socialist (Melbourne), 21 August 1914, p 1
  • photo, Australian Worker (Sydney), 1 February 1917, p 7

Related Entries in NCB Sites

Citation details

'Paul, Emily Letitia (Sissie) (1866–1917)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/paul-emily-letitia-sissie-34600/text43504, accessed 17 March 2025.

© Copyright People Australia, 2012

Sissi Paul, n.d.

Sissi Paul, n.d.

Life Summary [details]

Alternative Names
  • Mutton, Emily Letitia
Birth

1866
Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia

Death

26 January, 1917 (aged ~ 51)
Darlinghurst, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Cause of Death

diabetes

Religious Influence

Includes the religion in which subjects were raised, have chosen themselves, attendance at religious schools and/or religious funeral rites; Atheism and Agnosticism have been included.

Education
Occupation or Descriptor
Key Organisations
Political Activism