Lady Isabella Cockburn King

Wellington, this day. The death has occurred of Lady King, wife of Sir Truby King. She had been in bad health for some time and about ten days ago had a stroke so that her end was not unexpected. She was well enough, however, to enjoy the return of her daughter, Mary, after a trip overseas. She was the daughter of Adam Miller, of Edinburgh. Her work as a hygiene and Plunket writer has been a guide and help to thousands. She was of great assistance to her husband. The loss is a national one. Source: Auckland Star (15 January 1927, p. 13).

Despite the fact that Truby King’s wife Isabella had a column, we don’t seem to know much about her beyond that? Like if she held the same views? Yet another unfairness and iniquity related to Truby King: Isabella was very much his helpmate, was hugely involved in Plunket, and was equally responsible for almost all his work. She wrote an incredibly influential newspaper column called ‘Our Babies’. And yet she received no individual honours. She has no biography in the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. She may also have been problematic, but she was influential. She shouldn’t be overlooked. Source: Writes, Emily (2019, May 7). Plunket’s founder was an awful person obsessed with eugenics. The Spinoff.

On 26 October 1887, at Edinburgh, he married Isabella Cockburn Millar, the daughter of a jeweller, Adam Millar, and his wife, Isabella Cockburn. Bella was dux of the Edinburgh Educational Institution for Young Ladies and a prize-winner in the examinations offered by the Edinburgh Association for the University Education of Women. In the month following their marriage, Truby King took a post as ship's surgeon on the Selembria, and accompanied by his new wife sailed to New Zealand. Source: http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/2k8/king-frederic-truby