 Born in Wigtown, Scotland, she attended the University of London from 1871–74 and pursued brief teaching and acting careers.In 1875, she met Richard D'Oyly Carte and soon became his assistant and business manager.She helped produce all of the Gilbert and Sullivan and other Savoy Operas, beginning with "The Sorcerer" in 1877 and for the rest of her life, and helped Carte with all of his business interests.