Louisa Stevenson (1835–1908)

Needlework teacher and campaigner for women’s rights. Daughter of James Stevenson of Glasgow and his wife, Jane Stewart Shannan. Lived in Edinburgh, latterly with her three unmarried sisters, from 1854. Supporter of the Edinburgh Association for the University Education of Women. An honorary treasurer of the fund to pay Sophia Jex-Blake’s legal expenses in her fight for medical training for women in Edinburgh, 1871. Founder of the Edinburgh School of Cookery, 1875. In 1883, one of the first two women elected poor-law guardians in Edinburgh.