Chrystal Macmillan, born in Edinburgh in 1872, became a leading figure in the women’s movement of the early 20th century and had a central role in the women’s peace movement in the First World War. A campaigner for the admission of women to the legal profession, she became a barrister in London. She used her legal knowledge and skills to scrutinise, draft and suggest amendments to national and international legislation, advising national and international organisations including the League of Nations.
Helen Kay is an independent researcher of the women’s suffrage movement in Scotland and the early history of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF). She has promoted interest in the work of Chrystal Macmillan, working with academic and community groups.
Rose Pipes is an independent researcher and co-editor of The New Biographical Dictionary of Scottish Women (Edinburgh University Press – EUP, 2018). She has researched the legal career of Chrystal Macmillan, and written an article on the subject for the Middle Templar magazine.
Helen and Rose are joint authors of Chrystal Macmillan, 1872-1937, published in 2024 (paperback 2025) by EUP.
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