Dinah Elizabeth, Lady Pearce (née Sowter; 1836–1918) was a British philanthropist, notable for building The Pearce Institute in Govan for the benefit of the local community.
Dinah Elizabeth Sowter was born in Kent, the daughter of Robert Sowter, a victualler.[1] In 1861 she married William Pearce, a shipbuilder and engineer. Their son, William George Pearce, was born in the same year.[2] They set up home in Govan and occupied John Elder's villa for many years. From there they moved to Wemyss Bay further down the west coast of Scotland.
Statue of Sir William Pearce, husband of Lady Dinah Elizabeth Pearce, in Govan.
As the wife of a successful man she was required to entertain on a regular basis but she did not allow her privileged position to stop her becoming involved in the lives of ordinary Govan people. She believed until her death that working people had been let down by the government. Her husband became MP for Govan in 1885 and became a baronet two years later. Sir William was at the peak of his career and had by then become owner of Fairfield Shipyard Company which was by then a world leader. She is particularly remembered for her involvement in helping to set up the well-known project 'Fresh-Air-Fortnight' which afforded the opportunity for sick children to have a holiday usually at the seaside but also in the country in order to help their recovery. She was elected to the school board of Govan Parish in 1885[3] and during that time argued for female representation on school boards. It was said of Lady Pearce, "Any community was well off where there was a 'Good Angel' in the district, with a liberal heart and a readiness to help forward the best interest of the people and the district".[4]
On William Pearce's death in 1888, Lady Pearce inherited an estate worth upwards of one million pounds.[5]
Philanthropyedit
The Pearce Institute, Govan.
Lady Pearce had a strong, enduring friendship with Margaret Macgregor,[6] and employed Margaret as the lady superintendent of the Fairfield Works Mission, whose headquarters were in Harmony Row. Lady Pearce became more deeply involved in religion through her friendship with Margaret. Like Margaret, she was non-sectarian in her approach to her philanthropy and made contributions to all the churches. After Margaret's death, Lady Pearce had a church erected in Margaret's memory, the Margaret Macgregor Memorial Church.[4]
In 1906 Lady Pearce built the Pearce Institute[7][8] as a gift to the people of Govan and in memory of her husband. The building was designed by Sir Robert Rowand Anderson.[9] The Institute's original aim was to support the welfare and wellbeing of the community, providing facilities for leisure, recreation, and education.[10] This included a gymnasium, reading rooms, and workshops.[9] It is an A-listed building containing a public hall, library and other rooms. She was a generous supporter of the Govan Press fund and was concerned about the wellbeing of soldiers, disabled children and anyone suffering hardship. To the end of her life she continued to have an interest in the work of the Pearce institute.
She is also known for leaving an endowment in her will to support St John's College, Durham.[11]
Deathedit
Lady Dinah Elizabeth Pearce died at home in Wimbledon on 6 May 1918 at the age of 81. Her many bequests included one to the Bishop of Chelmsford, for '£150 a year to the end of the present war for the upkeep of his motorcycle.'[12]
Referencesedit
^"Kent Baptisms" (PDF). 30 November 1836. p. 208. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
^"Kent Marriages And Banns" (PDF). 22 January 1861. p. 56. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
^"School Board Elections: Govan". Glasgow Herald. 27 April 1885. p. 8.
^ ab"Death of Lady Pearce – Govan's Lady Bountiful – A Discerning Philanthropist". Govan Press. 10 May 1918.
^"Lady Dinah Pearce (1836-1918), Philanthropist | Philanthropy North East". Generosity Festival. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
^Ewan, Elizabeth L.; Innes, Sue; Reynolds, Sian; Pipes, Rose (8 March 2006). The Biographical Dictionary of Scottish Women. Edinburgh University Press. ISBN9780748626601.
^"Sketch of Pearce Institute". Scotcities. Retrieved 2 July 2016.
^"Home - Pearce Institute". Pearce Institute. Retrieved 2 July 2016.
^ ab"The Pearce Institute | Get Into Govan". getintogovan.com. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
^"Pearce Institute (PI)". Scottish Community Alliance. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
^Whiting, C.E. (1932) The University of Durham 1832-1932. (London: The Sheldon Press) pp.173-174
^"Deaths". The Times. 22 July 1918. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
External linksedit
History People: Five Facts about Glasgow's Lady Dinah Pearce by Glasgow News on Youtube
December 15, 2023
dinah, elizabeth, pearce, dinah, elizabeth, lady, pearce, née, sowter, 1836, 1918, british, philanthropist, notable, building, pearce, institute, govan, benefit, local, community, ladyborndinah, elizabeth, sowterbaptised30, november, 1836died6, june, 1918, 191. Dinah Elizabeth Lady Pearce nee Sowter 1836 1918 was a British philanthropist notable for building The Pearce Institute in Govan for the benefit of the local community LadyDinah Elizabeth PearceBornDinah Elizabeth SowterBaptised30 November 1836Died6 June 1918 1918 06 06 aged 81 MonumentsThe Pearce InstituteKnown forPhilanthropySpouseWilliam PearceChildrenSir William Pearce 2nd Baronet Contents 1 Life 2 Philanthropy 3 Death 4 References 5 External linksLife editDinah Elizabeth Sowter was born in Kent the daughter of Robert Sowter a victualler 1 In 1861 she married William Pearce a shipbuilder and engineer Their son William George Pearce was born in the same year 2 They set up home in Govan and occupied John Elder s villa for many years From there they moved to Wemyss Bay further down the west coast of Scotland nbsp Statue of Sir William Pearce husband of Lady Dinah Elizabeth Pearce in Govan As the wife of a successful man she was required to entertain on a regular basis but she did not allow her privileged position to stop her becoming involved in the lives of ordinary Govan people She believed until her death that working people had been let down by the government Her husband became MP for Govan in 1885 and became a baronet two years later Sir William was at the peak of his career and had by then become owner of Fairfield Shipyard Company which was by then a world leader She is particularly remembered for her involvement in helping to set up the well known project Fresh Air Fortnight which afforded the opportunity for sick children to have a holiday usually at the seaside but also in the country in order to help their recovery She was elected to the school board of Govan Parish in 1885 3 and during that time argued for female representation on school boards It was said of Lady Pearce Any community was well off where there was a Good Angel in the district with a liberal heart and a readiness to help forward the best interest of the people and the district 4 On William Pearce s death in 1888 Lady Pearce inherited an estate worth upwards of one million pounds 5 Philanthropy edit nbsp The Pearce Institute Govan Lady Pearce had a strong enduring friendship with Margaret Macgregor 6 and employed Margaret as the lady superintendent of the Fairfield Works Mission whose headquarters were in Harmony Row Lady Pearce became more deeply involved in religion through her friendship with Margaret Like Margaret she was non sectarian in her approach to her philanthropy and made contributions to all the churches After Margaret s death Lady Pearce had a church erected in Margaret s memory the Margaret Macgregor Memorial Church 4 In 1906 Lady Pearce built the Pearce Institute 7 8 as a gift to the people of Govan and in memory of her husband The building was designed by Sir Robert Rowand Anderson 9 The Institute s original aim was to support the welfare and wellbeing of the community providing facilities for leisure recreation and education 10 This included a gymnasium reading rooms and workshops 9 It is an A listed building containing a public hall library and other rooms She was a generous supporter of the Govan Press fund and was concerned about the wellbeing of soldiers disabled children and anyone suffering hardship To the end of her life she continued to have an interest in the work of the Pearce institute She is also known for leaving an endowment in her will to support St John s College Durham 11 Death editLady Dinah Elizabeth Pearce died at home in Wimbledon on 6 May 1918 at the age of 81 Her many bequests included one to the Bishop of Chelmsford for 150 a year to the end of the present war for the upkeep of his motorcycle 12 References edit Kent Baptisms PDF 30 November 1836 p 208 Retrieved 4 July 2020 Kent Marriages And Banns PDF 22 January 1861 p 56 Retrieved 4 July 2020 School Board Elections Govan Glasgow Herald 27 April 1885 p 8 a b Death of Lady Pearce Govan s Lady Bountiful A Discerning Philanthropist Govan Press 10 May 1918 Lady Dinah Pearce 1836 1918 Philanthropist Philanthropy North East Generosity Festival Retrieved 4 July 2020 Ewan Elizabeth L Innes Sue Reynolds Sian Pipes Rose 8 March 2006 The Biographical Dictionary of Scottish Women Edinburgh University Press ISBN 9780748626601 Sketch of Pearce Institute Scotcities Retrieved 2 July 2016 Home Pearce Institute Pearce Institute Retrieved 2 July 2016 a b The Pearce Institute Get Into Govan getintogovan com Retrieved 4 July 2020 Pearce Institute PI Scottish Community Alliance Retrieved 4 July 2020 Whiting C E 1932 The University of Durham 1832 1932 London The Sheldon Press pp 173 174 Deaths The Times 22 July 1918 Retrieved 4 July 2020 External links editHistory People Five Facts about Glasgow s Lady Dinah Pearce by Glasgow News on Youtube Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Dinah Elizabeth Pearce amp oldid 1175491316, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
