Isabella Elder - Govan Philanthropist - Scottish Maritime Museum

Isabella Elder – Govan Philanthropist

By Kirsty Gilchrist

Isabella Elder (nee. Ure), born 15th of March 1828 in Glasgow’s Gorbals district, was a philanthropist well known for her advocation of women’s education and the welfare of the people of Govan.[1]

After the death of her husband, shipbuilder John Elder, Isabella became the owner of the business Randolph, Elder & Co. in 1869, which she renamed John Elder & Co. in honour of her husband.[2] The company, later known as Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Co., was one of the biggest shipbuilding yards in the world at this time.[3] Isabella ran the business successfully for nine months before ownership was transferred to a partnership led by her older brother John Francis Ure.[4]

Following this handover, Isabella put her money earned from the business towards philanthropic endeavours in her home city, Glasgow. For instance, Isabella donated £17,500 to the University of Glasgow, and £5,000 to the Glasgow and West of Scotland Technical College, now Strathclyde University, over her lifetime.[5] These donations helped to support the study of engineering at both schools in honour of her late husband.[6]

Isabella was particularly passionate about higher education for women, and gifted Queen Margaret College £12,000 for this purpose.[8] She later met the cost for the inclusion of female medical students at the school, with the first female medical students graduating from the University of Glasgow in 1894 when the college was incorporated into the university.[8] Fittingly, Isabella’s death certificate in 1905 was signed by the first woman to graduate from the University of Glasgow, Dr Marion Gilchrist.[9] Additionally, Isabella paid all of the expenses for Elder Cottage Hospital in Govan until her death. This hospital trained women in nursing and midwifery, and Isabella left £50,000 to the hospital in her will to continue her support of the running costs.[10]

*Statue of Isabella Elder in Elder Park*

Isabella’s most recognisable gift to Glasgow is Elder Park in Govan. The park was opened in 1885 and is situated to the east of the Linthouse neighbourhood, the area that the Scottish Maritime Museum’s Linthouse building used to stand as part of Alexander Stephen and Sons. The park features a statue of Isabella that was funded by the public after her death – one of the first statues of women to be built in the city.[11] It is clear that the people of Govan appreciated Isabella’s support of her local community and wished to commemorate her in some way. Elder Park Library also sits inside the park and was opened in 1903 by Andrew Carnegie.[12] Upon Isabella’s insistence as the primary benefactor, the library was required to open on Sunday so that working people could have time to access it.[13]

*View of Fairfield’s from Southwest, Elder Park in foreground*

Isabella’s care for the health and wellbeing of the working families of Govan has a lasting legacy as her actions have improved opportunities for women and living conditions for the shipbuilding community.