Margaret Olrog Stoddart was born in Diamond Harbour, Canterbury, New Zealand in 1865. She was one of six children born to Mark Pringle Stoddart and Anna Barbara (nee Schjott). Margaret came from a prosperous and cultured family. Her aunt a noted painter in Edinburgh and her father an admiral's son from Edinburgh, who was fond of drawing, poetry and reading. In 1876 Stoddart was taken to visit relatives in Edinburgh where she briefly attended a ladies' college. After returning to New Zealand Margaret enrolled at the Canterbury College School of Art (now known as Ilam School of Fine Arts) in its opening year in 1882. During this period she became a member of the Palette Club, an association of artists who were committed to workingDictionary of New Zealand Biography, Julie King, 1996...