Violet Bonham Carter

Helen Violet Bonham Carter, Baroness Asquith of Yarnbury, was born on 15 April 1887 in Hampstead, London, England. She was the daughter of Herbert Henry Asquith, who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1908 to 1916, and Helen Melland. Violet Bonham Carter was known until her marriage as Violet Asquith. She was raised in a political environment, living in 10 Downing Street from 1908 during her father's tenure as Prime Minister.

Her early education was conducted at home by governesses, and she later attended a finishing school in Dresden in 1903. She also spent time in Paris to improve her language skills. Her mother died of typhoid fever when Violet was four years old. In 1894, her father married Margot Tennant, with whom Violet reportedly had a complex relationship. She had four brothers: Raymond, Herbert, Arthur, and Cyril. Her close childhood friend was Venetia Stanley, who later had an emotional relationship with her father.

In 1905, Violet was presented at court and entered the social scene of London's parties. She was involved with prominent social and political figures, including Sir Charles Tennant and his family, and was connected to the "Young Souls" social circle. In 1907, she received a marriage proposal from Arnold Ward, which she declined, reportedly due to her parents' objections linked to political and financial considerations.

Violet developed close relationships with influential figures such as Winston Churchill, with whom she was said to have been "practically engaged" in 1908. She accompanied Churchill on a holiday at New Slains Castle in Scotland. In 1909, she became engaged to Archibald Gordon (Archie), the son of the Marquess of Aberdeen and Temair, after he had a severe car accident.

Between 1910 and 1914, Violet traveled to the Sudan, where her brother Arthur worked in the civil service. She also visited the grave of Boyd Alexander, her friend's fiancé who was killed in Africa. In 1912, she accompanied her father and stepmother on a Mediterranean cruise aboard HMS Enchantress, which included notable guests such as Winston Churchill's family members. She also established a long-term correspondence with Matthew Nathan during this period and met Rupert Brooke in 1913.

During World War I, Violet was a witness to events involving prominent literary and political figures, including Henry James and Rupert Brooke. She was a personal friend and correspondent of Brooke until his death in 1915. On 30 November 1915, she married Maurice Bonham-Carter, her father's principal private secretary.

Violet Bonham Carter actively participated in political life in the interwar period. She campaigned for her father during the 1920 Paisley by-election and was involved with the Liberal Party, serving as President of the Women's Liberal Federation at different times and later as the first woman President of the Liberal Party from 1945 to 1947. She was an outspoken critic of fascism and supported anti-fascist groups, advocating for refugees and persecuted individuals during the late 1930s.

In the 1945 general election, she stood for the constituency of Wells and later for Colne Valley in 1951, narrowly losing both times. She was appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 1953. Violet Bonham Carter was also involved in arts and media, serving as a governor of the BBC from 1941 to 1946 and of the Old Vic from 1945 to 1969. She supported European integration and Britain’s entry into the Common Market.

On 21 December 1964, she was created a life peer as Baroness Asquith of Yarnbury, one of the first new Liberal peers in several decades, enabling her to participate actively in the House of Lords. Violet Bonham Carter died of a heart attack on 19 February 1969 at the age of 81. She was buried at St Andrew’s Church in Mells, Somerset.

As a diarist and biographer, her published works include "Winston Churchill As I Know Him," among other writings. Her grandchildren include the noted actress Helena Bonham Carter.