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| Elizabeth Crichton Statue, at Crichton Campus |
As I was walking in the Crichton campus today, I saw this
statue that I haven’t noticed before. I took some photos and decided to do a
bit of research on its significance. After initial quick online research, I
decided to stop by Dumfries library and see if I could find anything written
about this woman, Elizabeth Crichton. I found an interesting book titled
‘Crichton University: A WIDOW’S MIGHT’ by Alexandrina Anderson and, as today is
international women’s day, I thought I would share a very brief story of what I
read about this visionary woman.
The book details, in depth, the origins of the Crichton
university campus. It explains how Elizabeth Crichton came up with the idea of
establishing a university in Dumfries using inheritance left by her husband, Dr
James Crichton, after his death in 1823.
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| Close up photo, Elizabeth Crichton |
Elizabeth Crichton was a philanthropist known for founding
The Crichton Royal Hospital. Widowed and childless at the age of 46, she set
out to help people that were disadvantaged, and remained actively involved in
her charitable causes until her death in 1862.
By all accounts, Elizabeth
Crichton was a strong willed woman. Despite powerful oppositions to her original
proposal of opening a university in Dumfries, she fought hard for many years to
realize her vision, although she eventually had to abandon the idea in 1833 and
went on to found the Crichton Royal Hospital instead. In 1995, the hospital
became the Crichton University Campus. She would undoubtedly be very happy that
her wish had been finally fulfilled!
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