Lizzie Glasier

Lizzie Glasier (married name: Elizabeth Glasier Foster; 9 May 1869 – 15 January 1947) was a Scottish socialist lecturer, activist, and pioneer of Socialist Sunday Schools.

Early life Elizabeth Glasier was born in 1869, the daughter of John Bruce and Isabella McNicoll. John Bruce had eloped with the much younger McNicoll around 1857, leaving his wife Elizabeth Lindsay and their three children. A number of children born to Bruce and McNicoll were registered over subsequent years, with the surname McNicoll, but those of Elizabeth and her brother John Bruce Glasier (who gave his birth date as 25 March 1859) do not appear to have been.

On Isabella Glasier's death in 1911, she was mourned by the Labour Leader as "the mother and inspirer of one of the earliest pioneers and two of the most devoted propagandists of our gospel". As well as her children, the funeral was attended by Ramsay MacDonald and Ethel Bentham. Foster was also involved in socialism and education. in 1895 Lizzie Glasier wrote to the Labour Leader canvassing for the idea of establishing classes for children connected with "every branch of the I.L.P. and other Socialist bodies throughout the country". On 2 February 1896, socialist lecturer Caroline Martyn, called a meeting to form the Glasgow Socialist Sunday School, becoming its secretary. In its pages, she gave outspoken support to the demands of workers in the strikes involving seamen, dockers, railwaymen, and miners 1911–12. In addition to her work for the Labour movement, Glasier became well known for her work on behalf of children.

Later years In her later years, she and her husband lived with Katherine Bruce Glasier at Glen Cottage, Earby.