Muriel Beaumont

Cannon Hall, Hampstead, drawn by A.R. Quinton, 1911, the family home in London from 1916.

Muriel Beaumont, Lady du Maurier (14 April 1876 – 27 November 1957) was an English stage actress. She was the wife of the actor Sir Gerald du Maurier and mother of the writers Angela du Maurier and Daphne du Maurier. She retired from the stage in 1910.

Biography

Beaumont was born in Sutton, Surrey, the daughter of Henry "Harry" Beaumont, a solicitor, and Emily Bidwell.[1] Despite her father's disapproval, she became an actress.[2] Her first appearance was at the Haymarket Theatre in 1898. In 1902 she was cast as Lady Agatha in The Admirable Crichton. Also in the cast was Gerald du Maurier, whom she had met only once before.[2] Within five months they were married.

After marriage, Beaumont maintained her stage career until 1910 before retiring. In 1905 she played Nerissa to Violet Vanbrugh's Portia in The Merchant of Venice.[3] She also appeared in English translations of light French comedies.[4] In 1908 she appeared with Weedon Grossmith and A. E. Matthews in Frederick Lonsdale's farce The Early Worm.[5] She and her husband never appeared on stage together after The Admirable Crichton.[2]

Personal life & death

Beaumont and Du Maurier married 11 April 1903 at St Peter, Cranley Gardens, Kensington.[6] had three children: Angela du Maurier (1904–2002); Daphne du Maurier (1907–1989); and Jeanne du Maurier (1911–1996/97).

In 1957, Beaumont died at her home in Liskeard, Cornwall, aged 81.[7]

References

  1. ↑ England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975
  2. 1 2 3 "Lady du Maurier", The Times, 29 November 1957, p. 5
  3. ↑ The Times, 12 October 1905, p. 8
  4. ↑ The Times, 27 November 1907, p. 8; and 3 January 1908, p. 8
  5. ↑ The Times, 8 September 1908, p. 9
  6. ↑ London, England, Church of England Marriages and Banns, 1754-1921
  7. ↑ England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1916-2007
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