Muriel Beaumont

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 and artist Jeanne du Maurier. She retired from the stage in 1910.

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

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.[2] They were married five months later on 11 April 1903 at St Peter, Cranley Gardens, Kensington.[3]

After marriage, Beaumont maintained her stage career until 1910. In 1905, she played Nerissa to Violet Vanbrugh's Portia in The Merchant of Venice.[4] She also appeared in English translations of light French comedies.[5] In 1908, she appeared with Weedon Grossmith and A.E. Matthews in Frederick Lonsdale's farce The Early Worm.[6] She and her husband never appeared on stage together after The Admirable Crichton.[2]

Personal life and death

Muriel and Gerald du Maurier had three children: Angela du Maurier (1904–2002), Daphne du Maurier (1907–1989) and Jeanne du Maurier (1911–1997).

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

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


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