La Royal Society for the Protection of Birds : acteurs et stratégies pour une protection des oiseaux en Grande-Bretagne, 1891-1930

Abstract

The study of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, created in 1889 by a group of women belonging mainly to the aristocracy and the upper classes, raises issues of class and gender which include the links with other movements of the time, particularly the struggle in Britain for female suffrage. Accused of sentimentalism by their contemporary opponents, the RSPB viewed their commitment to protecting birds as a way to educate the British population and help form a more enlightened citizenship. Resorting to lobbying directed at members of parliament to push legislation through, they also used advertising, the press, schools, and their strong local grass roots networks to convince the public of the importance of protecting birds as the symbolic victims of modernity.

Keywords

• environnement
• associations de femmes
• protection des animaux
• oiseaux
• Citoyenneté.