Jessie Campbell

Campbell was born Janet Black on 26 March 1827 in Cross-Arthurlie in Renfrewshire, Scotland.^[1][2] Jessie's father owned a bleaching business in Renfrewshire. It is reported that the idea of lectures for women in Glasgow arose out of her suggestion at a dinner party.^[3] Consequently the Glasgow Association for the Higher Education of Women was established with Campbell as its Vice President. The Association held its first meeting in Glasgow, in April 1877 and a programme of lectures, led by its Chair, Professor Edward Caird began in November 1877^[4][5][6]

In 1883, this became the first college for higher education of women in Scotland: Queen Margaret College.^[7] Campbell was instrumental in securing North Park House as a base for the college, convincing Scottish philanthropist and friend Isabella Elder to purchase it. ^[8] She also led the fundraising campaign for the endowment fund.^[9] Among its supporters was senior politician and future Prime Minister, Lord Roseberry and in August 1888, Queen Victoria visited.^[10][11] The college became part of the University of Glasgow in 1892.

In 1893, she was listed as a lay member of the Glasgow Society of Lady Artists then located in Charing Cross Mansions in central Glasgow.^[12]

Campbell is pictured alongside Isabella Elder and Janet Galloway in the Janet Galloway Memorial Window in Glasgow University's Bute Hall,^[13] and was awarded an honorary degree (LLD) by the University of Glasgow in 1901.^[1]

She married James Campbell of Tullichewan in 1846, a cousin of Henry Campbell-Bannerman, and they had five children.^[14] She died on 10 February 1907.^[15][16]