Did you know one of the world's most influential humanitarians came from Ellesmere?
Founder of Save the Children and author of the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, Eglantyne Jebb changed millions of lives across the globe.
Explore her story through Ellesmere's sculpture trail and discover the remarkable woman behind an organisation that continues to help children in over 100 countries.
The woman who changed the world for children
Ellesmere is proud to celebrate one of its most remarkable figures, Eglantyne Jebb (1876–1928), the visionary humanitarian who founded Save the Children and transformed the way the world thinks about children's rights.
Born into the influential Jebb family, who lived at nearby Oteley, Eglantyne spent much of her childhood in and around Ellesmere. Surrounded by the beautiful landscapes of North Shropshire and encouraged by a family passionate about education and social reform, she developed the compassion and determination that would shape her life's work.
Following the devastation of the First World War, Eglantyne was deeply moved by the suffering of children across Europe. Believing that every child, regardless of nationality, deserved food, healthcare, education and protection, she founded Save the Children in 1919 alongside her sister, Dorothy Buxton. What began as a campaign to help starving children soon grew into one of the world's largest humanitarian organisations.
Eglantyne's influence extended far beyond charity. In 1924 she drafted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, a pioneering document that recognised children as individuals with their own rights. It was adopted by the League of Nations and later became the foundation for the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, protecting millions of children around the world today.
Although her work took her across Europe, Ellesmere remained an important part of Eglantyne's story. Today, visitors can discover her remarkable legacy through the Eglantyne Jebb Sculpture Trail, which celebrates her life, achievements and enduring connection to the town.
More than a century after founding Save the Children, Eglantyne Jebb's vision continues to inspire people across the globe. Her belief that every child matters remains as powerful and relevant today as it was over 100 years ago.
The Ellesmere Sculpture trail
Ellesmere Sculpture Initiative received Heritage Lottery and Arts Council England grant funding for this project to commemorate the centenary of the international aid charity, Save the Children founded by Ellesmere sisters, Eglantyne Jebb and Dorothy Buxton. The aim of Ellesmere Sculpture Trail is to interpret the landscape through sculpture. The Ellesmere Sculpture Trail has been developed over the past 12 years. It is made up of sculptures set in the unique and beautiful landscape of Ellesmere. The pieces are created by international contemporary artists, commissioned by the Ellesmere Sculpture Initiative (ESi), and are made specifically in response to the location. For each phase of the trail, pieces were made using local stone and wood, wherever possible, to reflect the history and heritage of the landscape around Ellesmere.
