Skene, Lilias

Quakerism became established in Aberdeen and the surrounding districts from 1662, after the visit of the English Friend William Dewsbury. Prominent among the earliest Scottish converts was Lilias Skene, also Skein, Skeen, Skeine (née Gillespie) (1626/7–1697), who, together with her magistrate husband, took a significant role in the early development of Quakerism in Scotland. A woman of considerable education and intelligence, Skene is also notable for her writing. She wrote poetry, published theology and prophecy, and wrote letters to a wide variety of correspondents including Princess Elizabeth of the Rhine and Anne Conway.