Rosaline Masson was born on 6 May 1867 in Edinburgh and was the daughter of suffrage campaigner Emily Rosaline Orme and David Masson, Professor of Rhetoric and English Literature at the University of Edinburgh.[1] She was one of four siblings, a brother David (1858–1937), and two sisters Flora, later a nurse and suffragist, and Helen.[2] She sometimes called herself 'Rosaline Orme Masson' perhaps in imitation of her brother, David Orme Masson, however her middle name is not listed on her birth or death certificates.[3]
An active community campaigner throughout her life, in 1919 she became one of the first women to join the ruling Council of the influential conservationist body the Cockburn Association.[4] Masson was involved in the organisation until 1935, writing a history of its first 50 years in 1925, Scotia's Darling Seat, 1875–1925.
She died on 7 December 1949 in Edinburgh.[5] She is buried in Grange Cemetery with her parents.
Literary associations
Through her father, Masson encountered many of the literary giants of her day who visited their family home in Edinburgh. She has many anecdotes of these encounters in her book, Poets, Patriots, and Lovers, that give insights into their personalities. For example, she has a 'hazy memory' of Thomas Carlyle "standing by my table stooping as he spread golden syrup on a slice of bread for me at my breakfast."[6]
Later, in April 1884, aged 16, she flirted innocently with the poet Robert Browning, then aged 71, who came over to her at breakfast and said: robert: Why, I declare! You were going to have said good-morning to me, weren't you? rosaline: Yes, I was. robert: Why, I declare! You were going to have given me a kiss! rosaline: No, I wasn't... But if you will give me one, I will keep it all my life.[7][a]
She spent a fortnight or so with the philosopher Herbert Spencer at his home in Brighton. She recalled that Spencer abhorred casual visitors. When a star struck American came to visit, he was informed that "Mr Spencer is not able to receive visitors." The American gentleman replied: "But I have come all the way from New York on purpose, Sir! I assure you that with us the name of Herbert Spencer..." But this importuning was too much for the sofa-confined philosopher who called out: "Send him away! Don’t let him come in!" The reply was: "I have heard the voice of Herbert Spencer! I can now return to New York satisfied!"[8]
During one dinner with her family, James Barrie was not in a talkative mood. Many attempts were made to draw him out, until a lady ventured to ask "'Are you musical, Mr. Barrie?' The answer came gloomily: 'No, I’m not. I can never tell one tune from another. I dislike music.' After a moment’s pause, in the same subdued tone: 'I was musical critic on The _____[clarification needed] for several years.'"[9]
^As can be seen in the Births and deaths information available at the General Register Office for Scotland, Scotlands People Centre in Edinburgh, and also at http://scotlandspeople.gov.uk
