Marianne Woods (1781 – 1870) was an English woman who opened a girls' school in Drumsheugh Gardens, Edinburgh in the autumn on 1809[1] and who became involved in a court case as a result of being accused of lesbianism[2] with the co-founder of the school, Jane Pirie (1779–1833).
[1][5] Lady Cumming Gordon spread rumours of these allegations and the school was forced to close in November 1810,[1] depriving Woods and Pirie, both in their 20s, of their good names and only means of support.
[1]"I am utterly ignorant of what was laid to my charge and I am not conscious of anything," Marianne Woods told one mother.
[5]Marianne Woods and Jane Pirie sued Lady Cumming Gordon for libel and the case went to court on 15 March 1811.
The story of the court case was the inspiration for Lillian Hellman's 1934 play The Children's Hour.