Eliza Brightwen

Eliza Brightwen née Elder (30 October 1830 – 5 May 1906) was a Scottish naturalist and author. She was self-taught, and many of her observations were made in the grounds of The Grove in Stanmore, the estate that she shared with her husband outside of London. Brightwen was described in 1912 as "one of the most popular naturalists of her day".

Personal life Eliza Elder was born in 1830 in Banff, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, to Margaret and George Elder. She had three other siblings.

After her mother died in 1837, she was adopted by her uncle, Alexander Elder, co-founder of Smith, Elder & Co.

As a child, Elder expressed interest in natural history and described her youth as "extremely lonely and quiet". She did not receive a formal education The couple renovated the house to a design carried out by Brightwen Binyon. She turned the billiard room into a museum after her husband's death.

Eliza Brightwen was a philanthropist and attended church regularly. She died childless and is buried at a church in Stanmore. Eliza Brightwen. Eliza Brightwen, naturalist & philanthropist; an autobiography. Edited by W. H. Chesson, with introduction and epilogue by Edmond Gosse. New York: American Tract Society (1909)