East Morningside House

Susan Ferrier was born on the 7th of September 1782. She was the tenth child to be born to James and Helen Ferrier. Due to Mr. Ferrier's success in his law career, the family were able to afford a house in the New Town of Edinburgh and in 1784 the Ferriers moved to 25 George Street where Susan was to remain for the majority of her life.

Mr. Ferrier was Principal Clerk of Session - a very senior Law Officer - and he was close friends with the Duke of Argyll. Susan often visited Inverary Castle with her father.

It was Susan's role to look after her father - her mother having died young - and his was often the only company that she had.

It was in 1809 that Susan Ferrier began to plan and write her first novel, Marriage. She received 150 pounds for the completed manuscript and Marriage was published anonymously in 1818 .

By now, Mr. Ferrier was no longer fond of travelling, and from then on Susan's social life was relatively quiet as she refused to leave her father. However, every Spring they would journey to Morningside on the outskirts of Edinburgh and stay in East Morningside House for six months. In 1824, after securing Miss Ferrier one thousand pounds from Blackwoods, The Inheritance - her second novel - was again, like Marriage, published anonymously.

Robert Burns wrote a poem "To Miss Ferrier" - but this was for her older sister, Jane. Susan's friendship was with Sir Walter Scott - and he did much to help her career.

She died on 5th of November 1854 and was buried in St. Cuthbert's Churchyard, Edinburgh.

I have never read her work, but it is praised for racy humour and great character painting. But looking at this douce Morningside House, and reading her story, what stands out for me is the way that family life was in days gone by. And in fact almost up into our own time. In the family, one daughter was almost appointed to care for the parents until they died - even if that meant for her no marriage. It was a sacred duty. And it often did great harm. Maybe it's surprising that Susan managed,nevertheless, to make a name for herself in a small way as a writer!