Birthplace

This is where Mary Lily Walker was born in 1863:  152 Perth Road, Dundee.  It is still standing.  Lots of us probably walk past it every week.  Let’s hope the tenants currently living in it are signed up to this blog!

Ursula Bethell

Ursula Bethell is one of New Zealand’s leading historic poets.  What is New Zealand doing as part of Mary Lily Walker’s story, you ask?  The answer is that the two became friends during Mary Lily’s year in London with the Grey Ladies, in 1898.  We have discovered that letters were later written between them! You can read the letters in Peter Whiteford’s 2005 book Vibrant with Words.

Grey Lodge Settlement

When she died in 1913, Mary Lily Walker’s will left her house, Grey Lodge, to the city of Dundee, to be used as a School of Social Work and community centre.  This is Grey Lodge today – situated right next to her original house.  You can come and join our activities!  We are at 21 South George Street, Dundee.

Myra Baillie thesis

The only detailed historic investigation carried out so far, on the life of Mary Lily Walker, was carried out by Myra Baillie.  Myra completed her Master of Arts in 1996, at McMaster University, in Canada.  Sadly, Myra has herself passed away.  If you like, you can read her full thesis by downloading it Here