Baillie, Grisell (1822–1921)

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Baillie, Grisell (1822–1921)

Scottish philanthropist and deaconess in Church of Scotland. Name variations: Grisell, Grizelda, Lady Grizel Baillie or Lady Grisell Baillie. Born Grisell Baillie, 1822, in Scotland; died 1921 in Scotland; dau. of George Baillie of Mellerstain; great-great-granddau. of Grizel Baillie (1665–1746); also a descendent of Robert Baillie, the martyr, and John Knox; sister of Katherine Charlotte Baillie (memoirist-biographer).

Lauded as Church of Scotland's 1st deaconess, supported the local church in Dryburgh, both financially and through good works, such as teaching Sunday school for 50 years, visiting sick parishioners and organizing charity events; ordained as 1st deaconess of Church of Scotland in Bowden Kirk, Roxburgh (1888); also supported such causes as YWCA, Scotland Women's Guild, and temperance movement.

See also Countess of Ashburnham, Lady Grisell Baillie. A Sketch of Her Life by the Countess of Ashburnham (R&R Clark, 1893).