Harriet Warrack

Harriet Warrack (c.1825 – 23 April 1910) was a British school founder and headmistress of the Albyn School. The school was the largest academic school for girls in Aberdeen and she inspired her students to include a university degree in their ambitions.

Harriet Warrack
Bornbapt. 1825
Aberdeen
Died23 April 1910
Aberdeen
NationalityUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
Educationunclear
Occupationheadteacher
Known forfounding and leading the Albyn School in Aberdeen
SuccessorAlexander Mackie

Life

Warrack was born in or before 1825 as she was baptised that year in Aberdeen. Her parents were Harriet (born Morren) and James Warrack. Her father was a well known business person, grocer and tea merchant. The details of her good education are unknown but three of her four brothers went to Aberdeen Grammar School.[1]

Warrack started in education in 1867 when she organised lessons for girls in Latin, English, languages, piano and singing in Aberdeen.[2] This enterprise would become the school that is now (2020) called the Albyn School. The school moved within two years as it fulfilled a need for girl's education recognised by the Aberdeen Ladies' Educational Association. This was formed in 1877.[3] It was at first called the Union Place Girls School and another early name was the Albyn Place Girls School that it took after it moved again in 1886.[4]

Albyn School in 2020 is co-ed, but still a private school

She was ambitious for her school and her students. In the 1870s when only a few women in the country were studying for degrees she persuaded some of her students to sit university local examinations. She held exams every three months and she would publish the best examples of their work. She was recognised for choosing good staff and in particular Alexander Mackie. He had only been at the school for six years when she retired in 1886 and left him in charge as her successor.[1] Her school came to be nicknamed "Mackies" by later students.[4]

Warrack was a regular church goer died in Aberdeen in 1910.[1] A brass plaque in Aberdeen Sculpture Gallery records her support.[5]

References
  1. "Warrack, Harriet (bap. 1825, d. 1910), headmistress". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. 2004. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/53692. Retrieved 2020-08-03. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
  2. Fraser, W. Hamish; Lee, Clive Howard (2000). Aberdeen, 1800-2000: A New History. Dundurn. ISBN 978-1-86232-108-3.
  3. Moore, L R (2020). "The Aberdeen Ladies' Educational Association, 1877–1883". Northern Scotland. 3: 123–157. doi:10.3366/nor.1977.0010 – via University of Edinburgh.
  4. "History". Albyn School - Aberdeen, Scotland. Retrieved 2020-08-03.
  5. "Harriet Warrack | Mapping Memorials to Women in Scotland". womenofscotland.org.uk. Retrieved 2020-08-03.
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