Lady Aberdeen, the trailblazer of Haddo House

Ishbel Maria Marjoribanks was born in London in 1857. She married the 7th Earl of Aberdeen, John Campbell Hamilton-Gordon, who later became the 1st Marquess of Aberdeen and Temair.

Lady Ishbel had four children and the role model she provided for them was that of a lady of influence, principles and determination. In 1893 John Hamilton-Gordon was appointed Governor General of Canada, a post he held for five years. Lady Ishbel worked actively in her role as wife of the Governor General – her commitment exposed her strong character, for which she encountered criticism.

In the year that she arrived in Canada, Lady Ishbel was named the first President of the International Council of Women, a role she held until 1936. From this she organised and developed local branches for the National Council of Women in Canada.

Lady Ishbel overcame medical opposition to form the Victorian Order of Nurses, which received a royal charter in 1898, and she became its president. This organisation provided better health care for rural and disadvantaged populations, as well as enabled nurses to receive better training and an opportunity to earn higher wages.

Despite the criticism she received, Lady Ishbel’s disposition to help those in need and act upon her beliefs was recognised. She was the first woman to receive an honorary degree from the University of Canada, despite her father’s insistence that ‘University is no place for a woman’.

Lady Ishbel’s endeavours in Canada were commemorated in many ways, some of which can be seen in Haddo House. On display there is a nationally significant hand-painted tea service, presented on her departure by the Women’s Art Association of Canada of which she was the first president.