The University of Edinburgh was founded in 1582 in Edinburgh, Scotland, and was originally known as Tounis College. The institution was founded as a college of law and, until 1858, was governed by the Town Council of the city. In 1935 the Faculty of Divinity of the University of Edinburgh and New College merged, representing the first change to the university's constitution. Another merger followed in 1951, this time with the Royal Dick Veterinary School. In 1998 Edinburgh expanded again, this time merging with Moray House Institute of Education. In 2002 the University underwent a restructuring process that saw Faculties abolished, and the creation of the College of Humanities & Social Science, the College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine and the College of Science & Engineering. Departments became Schools within the new Colleges.

Margaret Gilmour Schofield was born Margaret Gilmour Barclay in Edinburgh in 1916. She was educated at Bouroughmuir Secondary School, Edinburgh, and attended Edinburgh University. Here, she was awarded a BSc for Scientific Studies in 1937 and a PhD in Chemistry in 1939. Her thesis was titled "The Catalytic Hydrogenation of Acenaphtene - Quinone and related compounds". She was recruited by the Calico Printers Association in 1939 and employed as a research chemist until 1947. Her preliminary laboratory work with the CPA was towards the development of a highly resistant synthetic polyester fibre and she subsequently joined the research team working on Terylene. She left the CPA in 1947 to start a family.