Janet Colquhoun

Janet Colquhoun ( ; ; also known as Lady Colquhoun of Luss; 17 April 1781 – 21 October 1846) was a British religious writer. She was a philanthropist who was involved with several good causes. She believed that the "fruits of faith will be evident in good work".

Early life Janet Sinclair was born in London, the second daughter of Sir John Sinclair, and his wife Sarah (d. 1785). Her mother was the only child and heir of Alexander Maitland of Stoke Newington. Her father was a member of Parliament for Caithness. She and her sister were brought up by her paternal grandmother at Thurso Castle. Sinclair became a Christian evangelist after being inspired by the abolitionist William Wilberforce. She was not comfortable being a privileged aristocrat and found the prejudices of her social circle painful. She became a philanthropist supporting a number of worthy causes. Her religious enthusiasm led her to give up both novels and the theatre in the early nineteenth century and in 1811 she is said to have celebrated her 30th year by saying goodbye to her youth with no regret.

Colquhoun was interested in a variety of good causes and published a number of religious works anonymously. She was treasurer to the Scottish Gaelic Society as well as being a contributor to the local bible society. She helped the Irish Home Mission as well as helping the supply of education in India. Janet's family funded the local Free Church and it is said that she forced the builders to withdraw their plans to build a special pew for the Colquhoun family. and published in 1849.

The Scottish novelist and artist Lucy Bethia Walford was her granddaughter.

It has been proposed that Colquhoun and her husband were the models for the character of Rabina and George Colwan in Hogg's The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner.

Works Despair and Hope (1822) Thoughts on the Religious Profession (1823) Impressions of the Heart (1825) The Kingdom of God (1836) The World's Religion (1839)