Jean Milligan

Other names: 
Jean Callander
Dates: 
Born 9 July 1886, died 28 July 1978

Born in Glasgow, Jean Milligan was the daughter of Isabella Aitchison, teacher, and Dr James Milligan, Rector, Glasgow High School for Girls.
Jean Milligan was educated at her father’s school, then qualified in physical training at Kingsfield College, Dartford. Appointed to Dundas Vale Training College (later Jordanhill) in 1909, she immediately showed interest in traditional dance and music. After war service as a VAD in Malta, she became principal PT instructor at Jordanhill, and was influential in the national development of physical education in Scotland, until her retirement in 1948. In 1923, she met Ysobel Stewart, head of training for Girl Guides in Scotland, who was keen to promote Scottish country dancing among young people. With others, they formed the Scottish Country Dance Society. Jean Milligan compiled a book of dances and travelled to promote Scottish country dancing worldwide, encouraging new branches of the Society, and still dancing even after operations on her knees. In 1977 the University of Aberdeen awarded her an LLD.

Sources
The Biographical Dictionary of Scottish Women
Entry by Jim Healy
Evening Times display in St Enoch's Centre March 2014.
Jean Milligan was the Evening Times Scotswoman of the Year 1973.