Promoting public understanding
of electoral democracy
![]()
The portraits of Baron Courtney of Penwith and his wife, Catherine (Lady Kate), which used to hang in the McDougall Trust library at the Chancel Street headquarters of the Electoral Reform Society (ERS), have found a new home at the Liskeard and District Museum in Cornwall. Leonard Courtney MP was a key founder of the Proportional Representation Society, forerunner of ERS, and his wife was also a campaigner for electoral reform. The portraits have been in storage for over ten years and not available to the public.
Derek McAuley, chair of the McDougall Trust, had the honour of opening the exhibition on 20th March 2026 in the refurbished John Rapson Gallery entitled "In Reflection: Photographs, Peacemakers, and Pacifist Emily". As well as the Courtneys the exhibition also traces the life of Emily Hobhouse, peace activist and displays local photos taken by John Rapson. The McDougall Trust are excited to work in partnership with the Liskeard and District Museum.

The exhibition opened on 20th March 2026 and admission is free. Full details are available on the museum's website here: