Today, savings banks are a global phenomenon, with roughly 250 million accounts  in postal savings banks
in developing countries and a staggering 1.1 billion accounts in non-postal savings banks.
All those accounts descend from the work of Priscilla Wakefield — quite a legacy for a forgotten heroine.
David Roodman, Open Philanthropy Project

Priscilla Wakefield:
31 January 1751 - 12 September 1832
Quaker philanthropist, writer and feminist economist

A well-connected Quaker, famous in her life time, Priscilla Wakefield, led a life pursuing social reform. She was actively engaged in social action and the alleviation of poverty in Tottenham focussing on charities concerned with women and children founding the Lying-in Charity for Women and the School of Industry for girls. She founded a Frugality Savings Bank in Tottenham and as a result she is widely acknowledged as the founder of the first Savings Bank in England..

She was well-read with an enthusiam for education and learning as well as the economic emancipation of women, political issues of the day and the topics of science, history and geography.  Her books, written in later life as a result of financial difficulties in her family, reflected her wide range of interests.

She was involved in the Quaker led campaigns for the abolition of slavery and prison reform.
​
‘I am the eldest daughter of a very numerous family, and received my education in the paternal house, under the inspection of one of the most excellent of mothers, to whose incessant care and admirable example, I owe the foundation of any merit I possess.

From my earliest years she taught me the habit of industry, and employed me, whilst a child, to assist her in instructing my younger sisters. Being thus accustomed, from my cradle, to take an interest in the improvement of children, and to watch the progress of their understandings,

I have formed an habitual attachment to youth – delight in the society of young people – and am never more agreeably employed, than in contributing to their stock of knowledge and amusement’.
From the Introduction to Variety; or, selections and essays, consisting of anecdotes, curious facts ... with occasional reflections, 1809
Responding to
Adam Smith
Priscilla Wakefield believed that all
useful labour was productive labour
Reflections ... published 1798
First Savings Bank
Founder of the first “frugality bank” in England to help women and children save money. Established 1798
Writer
Priscilla wrote 17 books, many of them appearing in multiple editions.
Microfinance
Priscilla Wakefield has been called the
'Mother of Microsavings'
School for girls
At the school girls were taught reading,
writing and practical skills.
Established 1792
​Susan Johnson, Associate Professor, University of Bath. who spoke at the launch of the new plaque to Priscilla Wakefield has written a blog post on Priscilla Wakefield:
​Celebrating Priscilla Wakefield: financial inclusion heroine and forgotten Feminist Economist.
Click here to read Susan's blog post: 
​Click here to download the paper.
The Centre for Development Studies blog ​
On 22 October 1798 the  
Female Benefit Club was founded in Tottenham by Priscilla Wakefield.  On the 220th anniversary a new plaque to Priscilla Wakefield was unveiled on the High Cross United Reform Church which was built 150 years ago. The church is near the site of her home. 

 On 7 June 1798 Priscilla Wakefield published her only book aimed at adults Reflections on the Present Condition of the Female Sex; with Suggestions for Its Improvement.
​
Her book is believed to be the first response by a woman to Adam Smith's 1776 volume the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations which forms the basis of our economic system today.
Lying - in charity
The Charity aimed to provide help to poor women during childbirth, providing linen
and a small amount of money.
Established 1791
Women in Tottenham's Past
Individuals and groups of women who have lived and worked in Tottenham.