Kate Marsden

Kate Marsden was a British missionary, explorer, writer and nurse. Supported by Queen Victoria and Empress Maria Fedorovna she investigated a cure for leprosy. She set out on a round trip from Moscow to Siberia to find a cure, creating a leper treatment centre in Siberia. She returned to England and helped to found Bexhill Museum, but she was obliged to retire as a trustee. Marsden's finances came under scrutiny as did her motives for the journey. She was however elected a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. She has a large diamond named after her and is still celebrated in Siberia, where a large memorial statue was erected at Sosnovka village in 2014.