Violet Graham, Duchess of Montrose

Violet Hermione Graham, Duchess of Montrose, GBE (10 September 1854 – 21 November 1940) was a British philanthropist and anti-suffragist.

[1] Violet Graham was born in London in 1854, the eldest daughter of Sir Frederick Graham, 3rd Baronet of Netherby and Lady Jane Hermione St Maur, daughter of Edward St Maur, 12th Duke of Somerset.

[2] The Duchess held several leadership positions with philanthropic organizations, including serving as president of the Soldier's and Sailor's Families Association of Scotland beginning in 1900, vice-president of the Territorial Force Nursing Service in 1908, and president of Scottish Red Cross beginning in 1909.

The Duchess of Montrose became the leader of the Scottish National Anti-Suffrage League in 1910 when it became a formal affiliate of the English organization and was a high-profile advocate for the cause.

She was awarded the GBE in 1918, the second year of the order's existence, while serving as the president of the Scottish branch of the British Red Cross Society.