Ishbel Hamilton-Gordon, Marchioness of Aberdeen and Temair

The Most Honourable The Marchioness of Aberdeen and Temair GBE
Ishbel Hamilton-Gordon by W.J. Byrne & Co, 1899.
Born	Hon. Ishbel Maria Marjoribanks 15 March 1857
Died	18 April 1939(1939-04-18) (aged 82)
Cause of death	Heart attack
Other names	Ishbel Hamilton-Gordon Isabel Aberdeen
Occupation	Author, philanthropist
Spouse(s)	John Hamilton-Gordon, 1st Marquess of Aberdeen and Temair
Children	George Gordon, 2nd Marquess of Aberdeen and Temair Marjorie Sinclair, Baroness Pentland Dudley Gordon, 3rd Marquess of Aberdeen and Temair Lord Archibald Gordon
Parent(s)	Dudley Marjoribanks, 1st Baron Tweedmouth Isabella Weir-Hogg

Ishbel Maria Hamilton-Gordon, Marchioness of Aberdeen and Temair, GBE (née Marjoribanks; 15 March 1857 – 18 April 1939) was a Scottish author, philanthropist, and an advocate of woman's interests. As the wife of John Hamilton-Gordon, 1st Marquess of Aberdeen and Temair, she was viceregal consort of Canada from 1893-1898.

Born Ishbel (Gaelic for Isabel)Maria Marjoribanks, she was the third daughter of the 1st Baron Tweedmouth and Isabella Weir-Hogg (daughter of Sir James Weir Hogg). She received a well-rounded education in English, French, mathematics, history, and geography, and was such a good student that her teacher recommended she attend college. However, Lady Aberdeen’s father shared the widely held opinion that university was no place for a woman. Instead, her education continued at home at her parents’ social events, where she met the famous politicians of the day. This experience helped prepare her for a lifetime of political involvement.

After a six-year acquaintance she married John Campbell Hamilton-Gordon, the 7th Earl of Aberdeen (later the 1st Marquess of Aberdeen and Temair), on November 7, 1877 in St. George's Church, St. George Street, Hanover Square, London. The couple had four surviving children: George (1879), Marjorie (1880), Dudley (1883), and Archibald (1884).

Lord Aberdeen was a Liberal and a member of the House of Lords, and Lady Aberdeen supported him by hosting social events. An intelligent and determined woman, she soon established her own political life as an activist. Because of political obligations, the family divided their time between London and their Scottish estate in Aberdeenshire. They called their home Haddo House, and it was here that Lady Aberdeen began her involvement with social reforms. She organized a Household Club that held classes for servants to learn singing, carving, reading, and other activities. The Aberdeens often attended their servants’ evening socials and meetings, and in London society it was rumoured that they had even dined together. They also funded a local school and hospital – healthcare was a cause that Lady Aberdeen supported throughout her life.