 Blyth was educated at Mr Andrews's school, thought to be one of the best private schools for girls in Edinburgh at the time.There she learned geography, elocution, French, drawing, music, and dancing while her grandmother also taught her the art of housekeeping and nursing.In 1859, the Society for Promoting the Employment of Women was founded in London by Jessie Boucherett, Barbara Bodichon and Adelaide Anne Proctor to promote the training and employment of women.