Gillian Wagner


Dame Gillian Mary Millicent Wagner is a British writer, philanthropist and social administrator, and formerly chair of the children’s charity Barnardo’s, the Thomas Coram Foundation and the Carnegie Trust. She has published biographical and historical works, as well as reports on social care.

Early life and education

Gillian Mary Millicent Graham was born in London in 1927, and educated at Cheltenham Ladies' College and the University of Geneva. She later did a diploma in social administration at the London School of Economics, and subsequently a Ph.D., Dr Barnardo and the Charity Organisation Society: A reassessment of the Arbitration Case of 1877.

Career

Wagner began her career as a secretary. Following local fundraising for the children's charity Barnardo's she was invited to join its main council in 1969 and subsequently became the first woman to chair its finance committee, and then to chair the whole organisation. She was also the first woman to chair the Thomas Coram Foundation charity.
In 1973, she was granted the Freedom of the City of London.
In 1994, with support from the National Institute of Social Work, she founded the , which aims "to promote the achievement of high standards of care for children and adults in nursing homes, residential homes and schools…"
In 1994, she was created a Dame Commander of the British Empire for her services to social administration.

Personal life

In 1953, Gillian Graham married Anthony Wagner, later the Garter King of Arms. She has a daughter, publisher Lucy McCarraher, and two sons, painter Roger Wagner and entrepreneur Mark Wagner.
She lives in London and Aldeburgh, Suffolk.

Works and themes

Her 1979 biography of Dr Barnardo was the ‘first frank account of character and career, and Thomas Coram, Gent. has been described as ‘a much-needed biography of this early pioneer of children’s charity.’ The exception to this is her most recent book, Miss Palmer’s Diary, a biography of her ancestor Ellen Palmer.

Publications