Cynthia Colville

Lady Helen Cynthia Colville (née Milnes, later Crewe-Milnes) was born on 20 May 1884 and died on 15 June 1968. She was an English courtier and social worker, serving as a Woman of the Bedchamber to Queen Mary and actively engaged in social welfare efforts.

Family Background:

Cynthia was the third daughter of Robert Milnes, who became the 2nd Baron Houghton when she was approximately 15 months old. Her mother was Sibyl, daughter of Sir Frederick Graham of the Graham baronets of Netherby, and Lady Jane St Maur. She had an older sister, an older brother, and a twin sister. Her mother died at a young age, after which Cynthia and her siblings initially lived with their unmarried uncle, the 3rd Baron Crewe. Subsequently, they rejoined their father during his tenure as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland in Dublin from 1892 to 1895.

In 1895, upon the death of her uncle, Lord Crewe, Cynthia's father inherited his estates and adopted the surname Crewe-Milnes. He was subsequently created Earl of Crewe, which gave Cynthia the title "Lady." In 1899, her father remarried Lady Margaret Etrenne Hannah Primrose, daughter of the 5th Earl of Rosebery, who served as Prime Minister from 1894 to 1895. Lady Margaret was born in 1881 and was only 18 years old at the time of her marriage; she and Cynthia were three years apart in age.

Education:

Cynthia studied music at the Royal College of Music for four years. Her piano teacher was John Arthur St. Oswald Dykes.

Marriage and Children:

On 21 January 1908, she married the Honourable George Charles Colville, the younger son of the 1st Viscount Colville of Culross and Cecile Carrington. Their children included:

- David Richard Colville (born 11 May 1909, died 9 February 1987)

- Major Philip Robert Colville (born 7 November 1910, died 11 April 1997)

- Sir John Rupert Colville (born 28 January 1915, died 19 November 1987), who became known as a diarist.

Career and Social Work:

Prior to World War I, Cynthia began her social work in Shoreditch, an impoverished area of London's East End, where she focused on reducing infant mortality. Her efforts led to her co-option onto the public health committee by the Socialist borough council.

In September 1950, she was elected the first chairman of the British Epilepsy Association. During her tenure as Woman of the Bedchamber to Queen Mary, in February 1952, she was responsible for informing the Queen of King George VI's death. In 1952, she was appointed a lay justice at Bow Street Magistrates' Court.

Other Activities:

Cynthia was known for her social initiatives, including introducing Thomas Benjamin Frederick Davis, a self-made man, into her social circle and persuading the Queen to dine with him aboard the royal yacht HMY Victoria and Albert during Cowes Week.

Memorials:

In 1948, a housing estate on Felton Street in Shoreditch was renamed the "Colville estate" in her honor. She published her autobiography, "Crowded Life," in 1963.

Honors:

She received numerous honors:

- Officer of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem (OStJ)

- Justice of the Peace for the County of London

- Woman of the Bedchamber to Queen Mary (1923–1953)

- Dame Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (DCVO), awarded on 11 May 1937

- Fellow of the Royal College of Music (FRCM) in 1948

- Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 1953

- Honorary Doctor of Law (LL.D.) from Leeds University

She is one of the few individuals to be named a dame in two separate orders.

Death:

Lady Cynthia Colville died at the age of 84 on 15 June 1968 at 4 Mulberry Walk, Chelsea, London, England.