Beatrix Lyall

Dame Beatrix Margaret Lyall, DBE, JP (27 October 1873– 8 May 1948) was a British social reformer and London politician.[1][2]

Contents

Early life

She was born in 1873 as Beatrix Margaret Rostron, the daughter of Simpson Rostron, a barrister of Beddington, Surrey, and his wife Christina Jane Riley.[2] Her parents had a strong Christian faith, and were deeply involved in the activities of the Church of England as well as being active in the Conservative Party. Beatrix was to follow their lead in both religion and politics.[2]

Marriage and family

On 15 June 1899 she married George Henry Hudson Pile, a childhood friend and son of a former Speaker of the House of Assembly of Barbados, to become Beatrix Pile.[3] In 1914 she became Beatrix Lyall when her husband changed his surname by deed poll, assuming his mother's maiden name.[2] They settled in Chelsea, London and had one son, Archibald, and one daughter, Christina Marion.[3]

World War One

By 1914 she was well known in her role as leader of the Mothers Union, and was noted for her public speaking skills and her campaigning for child welfare.[2] During the war she gave her services to a number of government departments and served on the War Savings Committee. She gave addresses to munitions workers and miners which were published by the British Women's Patriotic League.[1][2] In 1919 she was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire for her services during the conflict.[1]

Politics

Lyall's high public profile led to her being approached by the Conservative-backed Municipal Reform Party to stand for election to the London County Council.[2] In March 1919 she was duly elected as a councillor for Fulham East.[4] In 1924 she was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire.[1] She served as vice-chairman of the council from 1932–1933, and was the first woman to hold the post.[2][5] In 1934 she lost her seat on the council when the Labour Party took control for the first time.[6] She returned to the council in December of the following year when a by-election was held, but did not stand for the subsequent elections in 1937.[7][8]

Later life

Following her retirement from local politics, Lyall continued to be active in the Mothers Union, authoring pamphlets promoting "Christian marriage" and denouncing divorce. She was made a life vice-president of the organisation in 1937.[2] She was to suffer the loss of her daughter in October 1937 and of her husband in May 1938.[3][9]

During the Second World War Lyall was appointed head of hospital supplies for South London, and was a member of the executive of the National Council of Women.[2] She spent her final years at the Prince of Wales Hotel in Kensington, London. She died, aged 74, at the hotel in May 1948 from heart failure. She was cremated at Golders Green.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Obituary: Dame Beatrix Lyall, A Tireless Social Worker". The Times: p. 7. 1 May 1948. 
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Moyse, Cordelia (2004). "Lyall, Dame Beatrix Margaret (1873–1948)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Oxford University Press. http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/52026. Retrieved 10 November 2009. 
  3. ^ a b c "Obituary: Captain G. H. Hudson Lyall West Indian Affairs". The Times: p. 18. 31 May 1938. 
  4. ^ "L.C.C. Elections". The Times: p. 14. 8 March 1919. 
  5. ^ "L.C.C. Reductions In Salary. Alleged Pressure On Staff. Mr. Herbert Morrison's Charge". The Times: p. 14. 9 March 1932. 
  6. ^ "L.C.C. Election Results Declared Last Night, Labour Nearing A Majority". The Times: p. 8. 9 March 1934. 
  7. ^ "Election Result In East Fulham: Dame Beatrix Lyall Returned". The Times: p. 9. 11 December 1935. 
  8. ^ "Fight To Govern London L.C.C. Elections On Thursday, Voters' Duty To Poll". The Times: p. 13. 2 March 1937. 
  9. ^ "Deaths". The Times: p. 1. 4 October 1937.