Laidlaw, Anna Robena

1818-1901

Born in Bretton, Yorkshire. She became a distinguished pianist, having a Fantasiestucke by Schumann dedicated to her. She attended her aunt's school in Edinburgh, studying music there under Robert Müller. After successfully appearing in Berlin she went to London in 1834, where she studied with Herz and played at Paganini's farewell concert. She played at a Gewandhaus concert in Leipzic in 1837. About this time she made the acquaintance of Schumann. A long tour through Prussia, Russia and Austria followed and she returned to London in 1840. The same year she became Court pianist to the Queen of Hanover. After her marriage, in 1852, to a Mr. Thomson, she retired from public life.