Henrietta Taylor: Scottish Historian and First World War Nurse

A Short Biography of a Remarkable Scotswoman

Henrietta Tayler, (1869-1951), was a remarkable woman. She was born into the Scottish gentry and might have lived a life of ease. Instead, she devoted herself to scholarship and helping others. She and her brother Alistair published over 30 full-length works and numerous articles. They had a special interest in the family to which they belonged, the Duffs, and in the personalities and events of the Jacobite Risings of 1715 and 1745.

Henrietta Tayler served throughout the First World War as a Red Cross Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD) nurse, putting herself in danger to help wounded soldiers on both sides of the conflict, refugee children and adults. She did this as she did everything, with bravery, wisdom and good humour.

This tribute to Henrietta Tayler is written by Maggie Craig, novelist, Jacobite scholar, author of the ground-breaking and acclaimed Damn’ Rebel Bitches: The Women of the ’45 and several page-turning historical novels.