Margaret Montgomery Pirrie facts for kids

Margaret Montgomery Pirrie (born Carlisle) was an important Irish public figure. She was also a philanthropist, meaning she gave money and time to help others. She made history in Belfast as the first woman to be a Justice of the Peace. This role meant she helped with legal matters. She was also the first woman to be given the "freedom of the city," a special honor.

Early Life and Family Connections

Margaret Montgomery Pirrie was born on 31 May 1857. She likely grew up in Belfast, Ireland. She was the oldest daughter in a family of five children. Her father, John Carlisle, was a teacher at the Belfast Academical Institution. Her mother was Catherine Montgomery.

Margaret's uncle was the father of William James Pirrie. This made William her cousin. Her brother, Alexander Carlisle, became a top manager at the Harland and Wolff shipyards. Their father taught the children at home.

On 17 April 1879, Margaret married her cousin, William James Pirrie. He later became the chairman of Harland and Wolff in 1895. Margaret was very involved in her husband's business. This was quite unusual for women at that time. She often went with him on business trips. She also visited the shipyard often. There, she got to know the managers and some workers. She even helped her husband with engineering plans and money matters in the evenings. They worked from their home in Belfast and later from their London office.

Making a Difference in Public Life

Margaret Pirrie served as the mayoress of Belfast in 1896 and 1897. This was when her husband was the lord mayor. A famous person, Frederick Hamilton-Temple-Blackwood, 1st Marquess of Dufferin and Ava, called her "the most charming and most popular lady mayoress."

The Pirries' biggest gift to Belfast was their work for the new Royal Victoria Hospital. This hospital was built to replace an older one. It also celebrated Queen Victoria's special anniversary. Margaret led the effort to raise £100,000 for a new 300-bed hospital. They reached this goal in less than a year! Her husband gave £5,000, and she gave £2,000. Later, she gave another £11,000 to make sure the hospital was finished without any debt.

She then worked to raise another £100,000. This money was for the hospital's growth and daily costs. Her efforts helped buy new equipment. Because of their generosity, two hospital wards were named after the Pirries. She also raised £10,000 to name a ward after her doctor, Professor James Cuming. Margaret was the head of the ladies' committee and the nursing committee. She was seen as the most important helper for the hospital. She was the president of the hospital from 1904 until she died. In 1929 and 1931, she gave large sums of money to buy radium for cancer treatment. Every Christmas, she gave generous gifts to patients and staff. She also gave gifts to the shipyard employees.

In 1904, Margaret Pirrie became the first woman to be made an honorary burgess of Belfast. This was to thank her for her hospital work. In 1922, she became the first woman to serve as a Justice of the peace in Belfast. On 25 November 1926, she was made an honorary life member of the Belfast Chamber of Commerce.

After her husband died suddenly in 1924, Margaret was appointed president of Harland & Wolff. This position was created just for her. She later sold her homes in England. Her Belfast home was taken over by the new managing director.

Later Life and Legacy

Margaret Pirrie passed away on 19 June 1935 in London. She is buried in Belfast city cemetery. People remembered her as a woman who had a huge impact. She helped in many areas like industry, charity, social work, learning, and the arts. There is a statue of Margaret Pirrie at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.