Baroness Emmuska (Emma) Orczy, the author of The Scarlet Pimpernel,  was born on September 23, 1865.  Her parents were the composer Baron Felix Orczy de Orczi and Countess Emma Wass von Szentegyed und Czege.

And interesting fact about Baroness Orczy is that in World War One she founded England’s Active Service League.  Members pledged, “to persuade every man I know to offer his services to the country, and I also pledge myself never to be seen in public with any man who, being in every way fit and free for service, has refused to respond to his country’s call.”

While the organization fell short of its goal of enlisting 100,000 women, 20,000 women joined the cause.