Margaret Campbell Macpherson: A Woman Ahead of Her Time

Margaret Campbell Macpherson was born on February 2, 1875, in Paisley, Scotland. She was the eldest of eight children born to James and Christina Macpherson. James was a weaver and Christina was a seamstress. Although both parents were of humble means, they ensured that their children received a good education.

Macpherson showed an early interest in mathematics and science. At the age of sixteen, she enrolled in the University of Glasgow, one of the few universities at that time that allowed women to study. She earned her degree in mathematics in 1897.

Macpherson began her career as a teacher, but she soon became interested in the new field of aeronautics. In 1909, she became the first woman in the world to earn a pilot’s license. She then founded the Scottish Women’s Aero Club, the first women’s flying club in the world.

Macpherson was also a successful businesswoman. In 1912, she founded the Macpherson Airplane Company, the first woman-owned airplane company in the world.

Macpherson was a pioneer in the field of aviation, and she helped to open up opportunities for women in the field. She was a woman ahead of her time, and her contributions have been largely overlooked. However, she remains an inspiration to women everywhere.