The Launch of

Dead Interesting Women

20th August 2011

by Liz Beevers

Dead Interesting Women booklet On one of the few warm days of August 2011 we launched the book Dead Interesting Women in the Dean Cemetery, Edinburgh. It showcases the research done by WEA Women’s Forum members and was produced by Elizabeth Bryan of the Workers’ Educational Association.

“Dead and in the Dean!” was the title of the afternoon and around twenty-five people gathered to tour the cemetery and be introduced to the graves of Mary Syme Boyd the sculptor, Helen Kerr, doughty social campaigner, Isabella Bird Bishop explorer and traveller, the Stevenson sisters of education fame and Elsie Inglis (surely a worthy candidate for the next statue in Edinburgh!)

One of the best things about the day was the way members of the group (audience is far too passive a word!) joined in with their knowledge of the cemetery’s quiet residents to make a most interesting and sociable event!

Of the book Joyce Connon, WEA Scottish Secretary, said ..

“.... Wading through a great pile of mail on my desk, but I had to stop and dip into the Dead Interesting Women stories. What a lovely book, and a great record of wonderful WEA activity!”

launch

Here we are at the start of the trail listening intently to Liz's introduction.

Liz at Helen Louisa Kerr's Gravestone

Liz spoke to us about Helen Louisa Kerr

Andrea by Tom Rankin's greavestone

Andrea spoke to us about Mary Syme Boyd, but is photographed here beside the dog that Mary carved on Tom Rankin's grave that inspired her research in the first place.

Kate by the Stevenson Sisters gravestone

Here is Kate by the inscriptions for Flora, Louisa and Eliza Stevenson.

Tiana by Isabella Lucy Bird's Gravestone

Tiana gave a somewhat irreverent account of aspects of Isabella Lucy Bird's life.

All of us by Elsie Inglis's gravestone

And we all chipped in with what we knew about Elsie Inglis!

Here we are with Elizabeth Bryan and Helen Kay who were instumental in making the whole project happen.