Aileen Christianson (8 August 1944 – 12 June 2020) was Senior Lecturer in the Department of English Literature at the

University of Edinburgh The University of Edinburgh ( sco, University o Edinburgh, gd, Oilthigh Dhùn Èideann; abbreviated as ''Edin.'' in post-nominals) is a public research university based in Edinburgh, Scotland. Granted a royal charter by King James VI in 15 ...

. She was well known as a scholar of Scottish literature and women's writing, and as senior editor of 'The Collected Letters of

Thomas Thomas may refer to: People * List of people with given name Thomas * Thomas (name) * Thomas (surname) * Saint Thomas (disambiguation) * Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274) Italian Dominican friar, philosopher, and Doctor of the Church * Thomas the Ap ...

and Jane Welsh Carlyle' and of collections of Scottish women's writing. Her experience over decades made her a recognised authority on both Carlyles. She gained an MA (hons.) in English and History from the University of Aberdeen in 1966. She worked as a researcher and taught as a lecturer and senior lecturer. Her teaching covered mainly nineteenth and twentieth century Scottish women's writing. She published a full-length critical study of the writings of

Willa Muir Willa Muir aka Agnes Neill Scott born Willa Anderson (13 March 189022 May 1970) was a Scottish novelist, essayist and translator.Beth Dickson, '' British women writers : a critical reference guide'' edited by Janet Todd. New York : Continuum, 1 ...

. Aileen was recognised for her outstanding contribution to Scottish Literature and the Arts by the

Saltire Society The Saltire Society is a membership organisation which aims to promote the understanding of the culture and heritage of Scotland. Founded in 1936, the society was "set up to promote and celebrate the uniqueness of Scottish culture and Scotland’s ...

in 2019 She was a long-time supporter of the organisation Rape Crisis Scotland, a network of centres that provide support to campaign and lobby to raise awareness of the issues of sexual violence. Rape Crisis Scotland centres were established in Glasgow in 1976 and in Edinburgh in 1978. Aileen was a member of the Rape Crisis Centre Collective from 1978 to 1996. She died in Edinburgh on 12 June 2020 after a long bravely fought battle with cancer, during a period of national lockdown caused by Coronavirus

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Christianson, Aileen 1944 births 2020 deaths Alumni of the University of Aberdeen Academics of the University of Edinburgh