Margaret Swain

Margaret Helen Swain ( Hart; 13 May 1909 – 27 July 2002) was an English embroidery and textile historian. Trained as a nurse in London, she began a career as a historian after noticing no history about Ayrshire whitework embroidery in books following an exhibition at the Signet Library which she visited. Swain's research on the subject resulted in the publication of several books, she held two exhibitions, and wrote about embroidery, household textiles and tapestries in museum journals, magazines and newspapers. She was awarded an honorary Master of Arts degree from the University of Edinburgh in 1981. A pencil portrait of Swain was made by Elizabeth Blackadder and a collection of papers and objects related to her career are stored at National Museums Scotland.

Early life Swain was born on 13 May 1909, in Parbold, Lancashire, England. She was the oldest of five children of the iron and steel merchant John Swain and his wife, Isabella, Hart. Both of Swain's parents died by the time she turned 17. Swain went to art history lectures by David Talbot Rice at the University of Edinburgh.

Career In 1947, Swain moved to Scotland as the inaugural Edinburgh International Festival commenced. The portrait was donated by the Swain family to the Scottish National Portrait Gallery in celebration of their mother's 90th birthday in 2001.