Cynthia Asquith

Lady Cynthia Mary Evelyn Asquith, née Charteris, was born on 27 September 1887 at Clouds House in East Knoyle, Wiltshire. She was the daughter of Hugo Richard Charteris, the 11th Earl of Wemyss, and Mary Constance Wyndham. Her family background included notable connections; her paternal grandparents were Francis Charteris, the 10th Earl of Wemyss, and Lady Anne Frederica Anson. Her maternal grandparents were Captain Hon. Percy Scawen Wyndham, MP for Cumberland West, and Madeleine Eden Campbell.

She was one of seven children in her family. Her siblings included Hugo Francis Charteris, Lord Elcho, who married Lady Violet Manners and was killed during World War I; Guy Lawrence Charteris; Colin Charteris, who died young; Lady Mary Charteris; Yvo Alan Charteris, also killed in the Great War; and Lady Irene Charteris.

In 1913, Asquith met the novelist D. H. Lawrence and developed a friendship through correspondence. She served as secretary to J. M. Barrie, the creator of Peter Pan, maintaining her role until his death in 1937. Barrie left her most of his estate, excluding rights to Peter Pan. During the early 1920s, she befriended the author L. P. Hartley.

Asquith was known for editing anthologies of supernatural fiction, notably "The Ghost Book," which included works by D. H. Lawrence, Algernon Blackwood, Arthur Machen, Oliver Onions, and May Sinclair. Her own short story "The Follower" was adapted for BBC Radio and reprinted in the anthology "My Grimmest Nightmare" (1935). She contributed to the screenplay of the 1937 film "Dreaming Lips," starring Elisabeth Bergner.

In 1957, she participated as a contestant on the ITV quiz show "The 64,000 Question," where she answered questions on Jane Austen’s works and won £3,200.

Lady Cynthia married Herbert Asquith, the second son of H. H. Asquith, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1908 to 1916, on 28 July 1910. She and Herbert had three children: John Michael Asquith (1911–1937), who suffered from mental health issues and died in an institution; Michael Henry Asquith (1914–2004), who married twice; and Simon Roland Anthony Asquith (1919–1973), who married Vivien Lawrence Jones.

Her husband died on 5 August 1947 in Bath. Lady Cynthia Asquith passed away on 31 March 1960 at the age of 72.

Her literary works include novels such as "The Child at Home" (1923), "Sails of Gold" (1927), "Her Majesty The Queen" (1937), and "This Mortal Coil" (1947). She authored biographies including "The Duchess of York" (1927) and "Married to Tolstoy" (1960). Her diaries from 1915 to 1918 were published posthumously in 1968.

Asquith also edited numerous anthologies, including "The Flying Carpet" (1925), "Treasure Ship" (1926), "The Ghost Book" (1927), and "My Grimmest Nightmare" (1935). Some of her stories, notably "'God Grante That She Lye Stille'," were adapted for television.

Her papers and works are preserved in various collections, and she remains recognized for her contributions to ghost stories, anthology editing, and her connections with prominent literary figures of her time.