Joanna Baillie was born on September 11, 1762, in Bothwell, Lanarkshire, Scotland. She was the youngest daughter of a Presbyterian minister. At the age of ten, she was sent to a Glasgow boarding school, where she first discovered her love for performance and writing of plays.
After her education in Glasgow, Baillie moved to London, where she began to establish herself as a poet and playwright. In 1798, she gained recognition for her drama, The Plays on the Passions. This work catapulted her into literary fame and success, making her a popular writer of her era.
One of the unique aspects of Baillie's writing was her ability to capture the complexities of human emotions and psychological depth in her characters. She was known for her powerful and emotive dialogue, as well as her skillful storytelling.
Despite her literary success, Baillie chose to remain unmarried. She had received a small inheritance from her uncle, which allowed her financial independence and the freedom to focus on her writing career. Baillie was a staunch advocate for women's rights and refused to be labeled as a "closet" dramatist, asserting herself as a true playwright.
Throughout her lifetime, Baillie continued to produce works that explored the depths of human emotion and psychology. She was a pioneer in the Romantic literary movement and inspired many other writers, both male and female, with her bold and innovative approach to drama.
In her later years, Baillie retired to her home in Hampstead, England, where she held literary society meetings with other writers and intellectuals. She passed away on February 23, 1851, leaving behind a rich legacy of dramatic works that continue to be studied and appreciated to this day.