Edith Jemima Simcox was the daughter of George Price Simcox and Jemima Haslope Simcox. She made great contributions to society. She wrote extensive articles, books, and an autobiography; supported and participated in numerous movements and reform efforts; created arenas in which women could work; and established trade unions for workers of many kinds. However, her name is not known.

She helped establish trade unions, was involved in the co-operative movement, was a representative to the International Trade Union Congress, promoted women's suffrage, lectured for the Socialists and other groups, and was elected to represent the Radicals in the London School Board.

She was well-acquainted with the leaders of these movements and with many other intellectual, political, and literary leaders and figures. She was also a friend and admirer of the novelist, essayist, and poet George Eliot. Simcox was herself a regular contributor to the major periodicals and the author of three books.

Although she never married, Simcox did carry familial responsibilities: she managed the Simcox household, describing herself paying bills, recording finances, taking care of repairs, hiring and firing servants, etc. Her brothers, who both attended Oxford University, are George Augustus Simcox and William Henry Simcox.

Oxford did not admit women until 1920; therefore, Edith did not attend.

Among her other contributions, Simcox was a successful shirtmaker with Hamilton and Company, established in July, 1875 in collaboration with Mary Hamilton. The company was a cooperative that hired only women.

Simcox became friends with George Eliot (born Mary Ann Evans). Together the women were friends with Elma Stuart, who is buried beside George Eliot; Barbara Smith Bodichon, who established the English Women's Journal in 1858; Bessie Rayner Parkes Belloc; and Maria Bury Congreve.

Edith Jemima Simcox died at the age of 57, leaving all of her effects to her older brother Augustus.