Ella Pirrie facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ella Pirrie
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| Born | |
| Died | 31 October 1929 (age 72) George Square, Edinburgh
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| Resting place | Dean 1c Cemetery, Edinburgh, Lothian, Scotland |
| Occupation | Nurse |
| Known for | First nurse at Belfast City Hospital, establishing a nursing school and first matron at the Deaconess Hospital, Edinburgh. |
Isabella Barbour Pirrie, also known as Ella Pirrie, was a very important nurse. She lived from 1857 to 1929. She was the first nurse at the Belfast Union Workhouse Infirmary, which is now called the Belfast City Hospital. There, she started a special school to train other nurses.
Later, Ella Pirrie became the first head nurse, or matron, at the Deaconess Hospital, Edinburgh. This hospital was set up by Archibald Charteris to teach nurses.
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Ella Pirrie's Early Life
Ella Pirrie was born in 1857 in Ulster, a northern part of Ireland. Her father, John Miller Pirrie, was a doctor at the Belfast City Hospital and the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast. He was also a leader of the Ulster Medical Society. Her mother's name was Isabella Barbour Pirrie.
Ella had some famous relatives too. Her cousin was William Pirrie, 1st Viscount Pirrie, who was a very important shipbuilder. Her second cousin was J. M. Andrews, who later became a prime minister.
How Ella Became a Nurse
Ella Pirrie trained to be a nurse at the Liverpool Royal Infirmary in England. After her training, she stayed there to work.
Even though Ella didn't study at Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery in London, Florence Nightingale was her mentor. A mentor is someone who guides and advises you. Florence Nightingale wrote many letters to Ella Pirrie, giving her advice and support.
Before returning to her hometown of Belfast, Ella also learned about Deaconesses in Berlin. Deaconesses were women who dedicated their lives to helping others, often through nursing.
Ella's Work in Belfast
In November 1884, Ella Pirrie became the Superintendent and Head Nurse at the Belfast Union Workhouse Infirmary. This hospital is now known as the Belfast City Hospital. She earned £30 a year, which was a good salary at the time.
One of her first big changes was to introduce uniforms for all the paid nurses. This made them look professional and easy to recognize.
In 1887, Ella started the very first nurse training school at the hospital. The first students began their three-year course in 1888. This was a huge step forward for nursing education in Belfast.
The work at the hospital was very hard. Ella often cared for between 800 and 1000 patients! Florence Nightingale worried about Ella because she was under so much stress and didn't have enough help. Nightingale even sent Ella gifts, like a special decorated text that said, "I am among you as one who serves."
Because of the huge amount of work and stress, Ella Pirrie resigned from her job in 1892.
Moving to Edinburgh
After leaving Belfast, Ella Pirrie was chosen to be the first matron of a new hospital. This was the Church of Scotland Deaconess Hospital in Edinburgh. She was chosen because of her amazing skills and experience.
Ella met with the hospital committee and was hired. She started her new role in September 1894 and stayed there until 1914.
Later, in 1916, Ella became the Superintendent of the Deaconess Rest House in Edinburgh. She retired from her work in 1923 but continued to live at the Rest House until she passed away.
Remembering Ella Pirrie
Ella Pirrie's important work is remembered in several ways:
Statue at Belfast City Hospital
There is a statue of Ella Pirrie at the Belfast City Hospital. It was made by an artist named Ross Wilson in 2007. The statue shows Ella holding one of the letters she received from Florence Nightingale. Part of the letter says: "How deep my interest how intense my feeling for you and your work. Every women must feel the same. You have done a noble deed, God will grant the success. You have already done great things You must be the nucleus of hope for a goodly future of trained nursing staff at Belfast Infirmary which needs you and of perhaps a future training school for Nurses. God speed to you. I am always saying in my heart God bless you and your work always."
Plaque in Edinburgh
There is also a special plaque at the Greyfriars' Charteris Sanctuary in Edinburgh. It was placed there in 1930. The plaque honors Ella Pirrie and says: "To the glory of God and in grateful and loving memory of Ella Pirrie, Deaconess who rendered valuable aid in the equipment of the Deaconess Hospital of which she was the first matron from 1894 to 1914. She was the Superintendent of the Deaconess Rest House, Edinburgh from 1916 to 1923. Entered into rest 30th October 1929 'a succourer of many' erected by her fellow workers and other friends."
This shows how much her colleagues and friends appreciated her dedication to nursing and helping others.
