Walker, Helen (1710–1791)

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Walker, Helen (1710–1791)

Scottish heroine. Name variations: Jeannie Deans. Born in 1710 in Kirkudbrightshire, Scotland; died 1791.

Immortalized as Jeannie Deans by Sir Walter Scott in The Heart of Midlothian, testified at her younger sister Isabella's trial when she was accused of infanticide (her honest testimony did nothing to help Isabella); after Isabella was handed the death sentence, walked to London (14 days) and successfully pled her case.

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