Cara, Lady David (26 April 1856 – 25 December 1951) was an Australian educator, feminist, and social reformer.

[2][3] When she was 29 years old, David moved to Australia to take up the position of principal in the Hurlstone Training College for Women in Sydney.

[2][3] David was inquisitive and investigated several religions including the Methodist, Christadelphian, Quaker, Seventh-Day Adventist, Unitarian, and Baptist sects.

Despite her intended role of nursemaid, cook and wife, David immersed herself in the local culture and in 1899 published a book, Funafuti, or, Three months on a coral island, about her experiences (digitised version).

Intensely interested in social reform and education David was a member of the National Council of Women.

Her professional standing gave her influence in the Department of Public Instruction of New South Wales.

In later life David became the state commissioner of Girl Guides in New South Wales, retiring at 82 from a role she took on for the previous ten years.

[2][3] David is believed to have convinced her husband not to accept a knighthood until eventually his work pressured him into it in 1920.