Sophia Turle's surviving diaries cover a period of twelve years around the middle of her life. They include extended visits to family and friends in England and travel in Europe. Otherwise Sophia describes a daily round of social calls; writing letters; musical activity (playing the piano and attending chamber music concerts, also playing the organ at the church of St Matthew's, Westminster and having music lessons); attending services at Westminster Abbey and at St Mary Abbot’s, Kensington; tennis; sketching; theatre; lectures; exhibitions; reading; and visiting libraries (including the London Library and the 'Aquarium' [the latter is presumably the Royal Aquarium and Winter Garden in Westminster, which had a library among its facilities]). Many contemporary artists and musicians are mentioned. She refers frequently to her siblings and to her father, James Turle, including regular walks with him, and trips with him to the theatre, concerts, Novello's and Broadwoods, etc.
She frequently mentions current affairs and politics, including domestic and international events, and seems to have taken a particular interest in political matters relating to Ireland. The family appear to have had a number of political figures amongst their social acquaintances: Lord and Lady Aberdeen and Lord and Lady Balfour are mentioned from time to time in volumes 1-3.
Sophia mentions numerous women’s suffrage meetings (both public meetings and smaller committee meetings), regular payments of subscriptions to the Women’s Suffrage Society, and the getting together of petitions in favour of the franchise for women, often with one or more of her sisters. She regularly attends prizegivings and social events at the Medical School for Women and at various women’s hospitals.
Details more specific to individual volumes are given in the relevant catalogue entries below.