Description:Portrait drawing of Louisa Ryland, autographed by Miss Ryland herself. Louisa Anne Ryland was born in January 1814 into the wealthy Ryland family at The Laurels in Hagley Road, Edgbaston, the house that later became Edgbaston High School for Girls. Her father would not let her marry the man she had in mind and she remained unmarried, devoting her life to largely anonymous benefactions and charitable donations. Cannon Hill Park is particularly remembered as a gift of Louisa Ryland's, but it is only the tip of the iceberg. She lived at Barford Hill, Sherbourne, Warwickshire, and died in January 1889.