Grier, Rose Jane Elizabeth

  • DICTIONARY OF CANADIAN BIOGRAPHY ARTICLE: Nancy Kiefer, “GRIER, ROSE JANE ELIZABETH,” in Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 14, University of Toronto/Université Laval, 2003–. See full biography at: https://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/grier_rose_jane_elizabeth_14E.html
  • DCB profile notes:
    • Educator and author; b. 10 Feb. 1832 in Carrying Place, Upper Canada, eldest daughter of John Grier and Eliza Lilias Geddes; d. unmarried 28 Oct. 1920 in Toronto.
    • When she was nine years old, Rose Jane Elizabeth Grier moved with her family to Belleville, where her father, an Anglican clergyman, assumed charge of St Thomas Church. Like many other Upper Canadian girls, she received most, if not all, of her education at home. She demonstrated an interest in music at an early age and later served as organist and choir mistress at St Thomas.
    • In June, 1876, Grier was offered the position of lady principal of Bishop Strachan School in Toronto. Founded in 1867 by a group of clergy and lay people led by the Reverend John Langtry, the school was one of the first ventures by the Church of England in Canada into the realm of female education. It was intended for the “instruction of young ladies in the various secular branches of a liberal education, and also the inculcation of the Christian doctrine, as contained in the Bible and the Book of Common Prayer.”
    • When Grier arrived at BSS, the course of study comprised English language and literature, other modem languages, Latin, mathematics, history, geography, natural science, vocal and instrumental music, drawing, needlework, and calisthenics. She was to serve as principal for 23 years, a period marked by stability and scholarship. An excellent teacher and administrator, she nevertheless made her greatest impact through her strong personality and her spirituality.
    • After her retirement, Grier made her home at the convent of the Sisterhood of St John the Divine in Toronto. The order, the first Anglican community for women in Canada, had been founded by her sister Hannah in 1884, and Grier was its first associate and a regular contributor. About 1905 she published a small volume of devotional verse titled Alleviations, which was dedicated to her former pupils. In her preface she noted that the poems had not been written for publication and had been printed by request “that those that care for them may have them.” Grier also wrote words and music for several hymns used by the school or the order. She died at the hospital run by the order in October 1920.
  • Great Granddaughter of United Empire Loyalist listed in Loyalist Directory: https://uelac.ca/loyalist-directory/detail/?wpda_search_column_id=11586
  • Find A Grave: Cannot locate.