News
August 24, 2025
University launches award in memory of Scottish woman persecuted for witchcraft
Glasgow Caledonian University launches the Lilias Adie Prize honoring a 1704 witchcraft victim, highlighting miscarriages of justice and legal reform education.
Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) has announced the creation of the Lilias Adie Prize, a new initiative designed to remember and honor a Scottish woman who was tragically persecuted for witchcraft in 1704. The prize serves as a poignant reminder of historical injustices and aims to promote education and critical thinking around legal reform and miscarriages of justice.
Lilias Adie, an ordinary woman from Torryburn, Fife, was accused of witchcraft over three centuries ago. Sadly, she died in prison while awaiting trial, preventing her from being formally convicted and potentially burned at the stake, a common fate for those accused of witchcraft during that era. Her story, though tragic, offers a powerful lens through which to examine the dangers of unfounded accusations, societal biases, and the importance of due process.
The Lilias Adie Prize will be awarded annually to a student at GCU who demonstrates exceptional understanding and insightful analysis of issues related to miscarriages of justice, human rights, and the need for continuous legal reform. University officials hope the prize will encourage students to delve deeply into the complexities of the legal system and to critically evaluate how justice is administered.
"Lilias Adie's story is a stark reminder of the dark chapters in our history," said a university spokesperson. "By establishing this prize in her name, we hope to not only keep her memory alive but also to inspire future generations of legal professionals and advocates to fight against injustice and to champion fairness and equality within the legal system."
The university believes that studying historical cases like that of Lilias Adie provides invaluable lessons for contemporary legal studies. By understanding the factors that contributed to such miscarriages of justice in the past, students can develop a greater awareness of potential pitfalls in the present and work towards building a more just and equitable future for all. The prize is expected to become a significant component of GCU's commitment to social justice and its dedication to producing graduates who are not only knowledgeable but also deeply compassionate and ethically driven.
Lilias Adie, an ordinary woman from Torryburn, Fife, was accused of witchcraft over three centuries ago. Sadly, she died in prison while awaiting trial, preventing her from being formally convicted and potentially burned at the stake, a common fate for those accused of witchcraft during that era. Her story, though tragic, offers a powerful lens through which to examine the dangers of unfounded accusations, societal biases, and the importance of due process.
The Lilias Adie Prize will be awarded annually to a student at GCU who demonstrates exceptional understanding and insightful analysis of issues related to miscarriages of justice, human rights, and the need for continuous legal reform. University officials hope the prize will encourage students to delve deeply into the complexities of the legal system and to critically evaluate how justice is administered.
"Lilias Adie's story is a stark reminder of the dark chapters in our history," said a university spokesperson. "By establishing this prize in her name, we hope to not only keep her memory alive but also to inspire future generations of legal professionals and advocates to fight against injustice and to champion fairness and equality within the legal system."
The university believes that studying historical cases like that of Lilias Adie provides invaluable lessons for contemporary legal studies. By understanding the factors that contributed to such miscarriages of justice in the past, students can develop a greater awareness of potential pitfalls in the present and work towards building a more just and equitable future for all. The prize is expected to become a significant component of GCU's commitment to social justice and its dedication to producing graduates who are not only knowledgeable but also deeply compassionate and ethically driven.
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Politics