Violet Milner, Viscountess Milner

Violet Georgina Milner, Viscountess Milner (née Maxse), was born on 1 February 1872 at 38 Rutland Gate in Knightsbridge, London. She was the youngest of four children born to Admiral Frederick Maxse and Cecilia Steel. Her siblings included General Sir Ivor Maxse (1862–1958), a British Army officer during the First World War; Leopold Maxse (1864–1932), who was the editor of the National Review; and Olive Hermione Maxse (1867–1955), who modeled for Edward Burne-Jones.

Her father, Admiral Maxse, participated in the Crimean War and was notable for supporting the French position on Alsace-Lorraine after the Franco-Prussian War, which led to a friendship with Georges Clemenceau. During her adolescence, Violet spent two years living in Paris, studying music and art, and frequently attended opera and theatre performances with Clemenceau.

On 18 June 1894, Violet married Lord Edward Cecil, the youngest son of Prime Minister Salisbury. The wedding took place at St Saviour’s Church in Chelsea and was attended by prominent societal figures including H. H. Asquith, John Morley, Joseph Chamberlain, Arthur Balfour, and her father, Salisbury. The marriage produced two children: a son, George Edward Gascoyne-Cecil (born 9 September 1895), who was killed in action during the First World War on 1 September 1914, and a daughter, Helen Mary Gascoyne-Cecil (born 11 May 1901), an author who married Alexander Hardinge, 2nd Baron Hardinge of Penshurst.

The marriage with Lord Edward Cecil proved unhappy, and he died on 13 December 1918 of Spanish influenza. Violet then married Alfred Milner, 1st Viscount Milner, on 26 February 1921, at St James’s Church in Paddington, shortly after Milner’s retirement from government service. She played a significant role in supporting and promoting her husband's imperial and wartime activities.

Violet was active in political and social circles, supporting the conservative ideals of her family. In 1932, she became the editor of the National Review, a conservative political monthly founded by her brother Leopold Maxse. She assumed the role following his illness in 1929 and maintained it until her death. The publication was known for its opposition to imperial Germany prior to World War I and for its stance against appeasement in the interwar years.

Throughout her life, Violet maintained strong connections with figures such as Georges Clemenceau and Geoffrey, Lord Milner. She wrote about her family's relationship with Clemenceau in the National Review and authored a book titled "Clemenceau Intime," detailing her associations with the French statesman. She was present in France on 11 November 1933, the 15th anniversary of the Armistice, where she dedicated a marble bust of her late husband, Alfred Milner.

Violet Georgina Milner died on 10 October 1958 at her residence near Hawkhurst. She inherited substantial wealth from Lord Milner's estate and donated property including Sturry Court to The King's School, Canterbury. She also maintained residences at Great Wigsell in Salehurst and 14 Manchester Square in London.