Victoria Lady Welby

Victoria A M L Stuart-Wortley, afterwards Lady Welby-Gregory (1837-1912)
Published little but corresponded much.
Started the significs movement, which was a forerunner of semiotics, semiology, and semantics. The precise position of significs, which was not particularily signficiant at the time, is still a matter of discussion.
Was once in the Encyclopaedia Britannica
Best remembered now as a correspondent of C.S. Pierce.
(See the book Semiotic and Significs: The Correspondence of Charles S Peirce and Victoria Lady Welby).
Also corresponded with many other intellectuals, including William James, Bertrand Russell, and C.K. Ogden.
Strove to render expression as precise as possible, but not to excessively limit the ambiguity of words nor to embrace technicalism. Focused on common, everyday speech.
Writings have been described as "proto-feminist".
Had 3 children and also known for her needlework interests.

A reference (sign) has three factors: a) Sense or signification, b) Meaning or intention, and c) Significance or worth.
Four levels of Sense: 1) literal meaning 2) metaphysical or literal work 3) contextual and 4) import of the text
When evaluating significance or worth, we face questions of moral signficance, emotional force, social value, or appeal of the sign.

Darwinism -- language, civilization, and people are evolving.
Development of a "linguistic conscience". Welby advocated using the tools of significs to personally improve everyday language.
Technicalism -- finding a term to describe your field of thought or approach and no other.
Cross-cultural studies -- noting differences in language, thought, and ideals between societies.

"Victoria, Lady Welby." <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria%2C_Lady_Welby> Last Accessed: 08 Oct 2004.

"[Problems of Language in Welby's Significs.]" < http://digilander.libero.it/dplat/testi/sign/swelby.htm> Last Accessed: 08 Oct 2004.

"Early Women Philosophers." <http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Metro/3936/WMPHIL.htm> Last Accessed: 08 Oct 2004.