Phoebe Blyth (5 April 1816 – 12 February 1898) was a Scottish philanthropist, educationist and a leading campaigner for opening up opportunities for women in professional employment.

From 1860 to 1863, the registry list included: Both Blyth and her brother, Robert, were also members of the National Association for the Promotion of Social Science which had been newly formed in 1857.

[2] When the association held its conference in Edinburgh in 1863, Blyth presented a paper strongly advocating that girls should be educated for employment and receive practical training in household management.

[3] Blyth wrote the first of a series of eight articles published in the magazine in 1875 on 'the industries and employments open to educated women':[3]"In former generations, when the proper sphere of woman was discussed, the question was generally decided by the consideration of any course of action being 'womanly' or 'unwomanly'.

It was 'womanly' to dance or sing before assembled thousands, but it was 'unwomanly' to speak to a small number, even if in behalf of the oppressed or wronged; it was 'womanly' to write weak or sentimental novels, but 'unwomanly' to approach grave and important subjects; it was 'womanly' to appear in the hunting-field and to be present at the death of a fox, but 'unwomanly' to come to the help of the sick and wounded; it was 'womanly' to use the needle, but not the graver's style; it was 'womanly' to starve for want of food, but 'unwomanly' or at least unlady-like, to work for self-support."

[1] Her will left a trust of three hundred pounds a year to the support of “such indigent and infirm gentlewomen”, the recipients to be decided upon by female members of her extensive family.