Violet Graham, Duchess of Montrose facts for kids
Violet Hermione Graham, Duchess of Montrose (born September 10, 1854 – died November 21, 1940) was an important British woman known for helping others and for her views against women getting the right to vote. She was given a special honor called the GBE. Violet Graham led the Scottish part of the Women's National Anti-Suffrage League, a group that believed women should not vote. Her husband was Douglas Graham, 5th Duke of Montrose.
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Early Life and Family
Violet Graham was born in London in 1854. Her father was Sir Frederick Graham, and her mother was Jane Hermione St. Maur. In 1876, she married the 5th Duke of Montrose, who was a Scottish nobleman. They lived together at Buchanan Castle in Scotland, which was the home of the Clan Graham family.
The Duchess and her husband had five children:
- James Graham, 6th Duke of Montrose (1878–1954)
- Lady Helen Violet Graham (1879–1945)
- Lady Hermione Emily Graham (1882–1978)
- Brigadier Lord Douglas Malise Graham (1883–1974)
- Captain Lord Alastair Mungo Graham (1886–1976)
Violet Graham played a special role at royal events. She was one of the women who held a canopy (a decorative cloth cover) over Queen Alexandra during her coronation. Later, in 1911, she also helped carry the canopy over Queen Mary at her coronation.
Helping Others: Philanthropic Work
The Duchess of Montrose was very active in helping people and leading charity groups. She became the president of the Scottish part of the Soldier's and Sailor's Families Association in 1900. This group helped military families.
In 1908, she became the vice-president of the Territorial Force Nursing Service. The next year, in 1909, she started leading the Scottish Red Cross. She also cared a lot about children. In 1891, she paid for a home to be built for children who didn't have much, located near Loch Lomond.
Views on Women's Voting Rights
The Women's National Anti-Suffrage League was formed in 1908. This group was against women getting the right to vote in the United Kingdom. The Duchess of Montrose became a strong leader of the Scottish National Anti-Suffrage League in 1910. This Scottish group worked closely with the English organization.
She often spoke out about her beliefs. In a magazine called the Anti-Suffrage Review, the Duchess wrote that the Scottish group wanted to show women "the danger to the State if votes were given to large numbers of inexperienced women." She also spoke at the league's yearly meeting in July 1910.
Awards and Special Recognition
Violet Graham received many honors for her work. In 1907, the University of Glasgow gave her an honorary Doctor of Laws degree. This is a special award for people who have done great things.
In 1918, she was given the GBE award. This was only the second year this award existed. She received it while she was leading the Scottish branch of the British Red Cross Society. A newspaper article in 1904 called her "the uncrowned queen of Glasgow," showing how important she was in society. A place called Montrose Cape, located in the Hudson Strait, was named after her.
