Gabriel Jacques Surenne, the French teacher, had an interesting life before settling in Edinburgh. He was born in France in 1777, possibly served as a soldier during the Napoleonic wars, married in London in 1802, and declared himself a "Goldsmith and Jeweller" before facing bankruptcy in 1813. By 1818, he established himself as a French teacher in Edinburgh, teaching at the Scottish Military and Naval Academy and the Merchant Maiden Hospital. He also wrote and published French instructional books, becoming one of the premier French teachers in Edinburgh.

Surenne organized public readings of French essays by young ladies at the Hopetoun Rooms in Edinburgh, awarding prizes to the best pupils. Miss Goodlet's exercise books may have been created for such occasions, as they are notably stylish and meant to be seen. Surenne continued teaching until the early 1850s, and died in 1858. Two of his sons also became teachers in Edinburgh.

Jane Hay Goodlet was born in 1828, the eldest daughter of Mary and George Goodlet, who owned the London, Leith, and Edinburgh Steam Mills. The family was moderately wealthy, but they faced a setback when a fire destroyed their flour mills in 1833, resulting in a significant loss. However, George Goodlet recovered and continued various business ventures, including inventing and patenting methods related to sugar boiling. Jane's instruction in French by the renowned Surenne was likely a reflection of her family's social status. Jane never married and passed away at her home in Leith in 1868 at the age of 39.