Frances Stevenson
Encyclopedia
Frances Stevenson, Countess Lloyd-George of Dwyfor, CBE
(7 October 1888 – 5 December 1972) was the mistress, personal secretary, confidante and second wife of British Prime Minister
David Lloyd George
.
Frances Stevenson was born in London
. She was educated at Clapham
High School and Royal Holloway College, where she graduated with a Classics degree in 1910. In 1911 Lloyd George, then Chancellor of the Exchequer
, hired Stevenson as a governess for his youngest daughter Megan
. Lloyd George and Stevenson were soon attracted to each other. Although Stevenson, who wanted a conventional marriage and many children, hesitated about becoming the mistress of a married man, she agreed to become Lloyd George's personal secretary on his terms — which included a sexual relationship — in 1913.
Stevenson's vitality, prosperity and loyalty to Lloyd George, as well as her discretion in her work and personal life, gained her lover's admiration (although not fidelity). She was created a Commander of the Order of the British Empire
in 1918 and accompanied Lloyd George to the Paris Peace Conference
of 1919. Stevenson chose the location and supervised the construction of Lloyd George's country house in Churt
, Surrey
.
She also arranged and collated Lloyd George's extensive archive of personal and political papers so that he could write his War Memoirs. After having been persuaded by Lloyd George to have two abortion
s, Stevenson gave birth to a daughter, Jennifer, in 1929. Although Stevenson had been having an affair with Thomas Frederic Tweed
, a novelist who was one of Lloyd George's political advisers, Lloyd George was probably the father of Stevenson's child.
Two years after the death of Lloyd George's wife Margaret, Stevenson married Lloyd George on 23 October 1943 despite the disapproval of Lloyd George's children from his first marriage. Less than 18 months later, Lloyd George died on 26 March 1945.
Frances Stevenson, now the Dowager Countess Lloyd-George of Dwyfor, lived at Churt for the rest of her life, devoting her time to her family, charitable activities, perpetuating the memory of Lloyd George and writing. Her memoirs The Years That Are Past was published in 1967, and her diary of her life with Lloyd George was published in 1971.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(7 October 1888 – 5 December 1972) was the mistress, personal secretary, confidante and second wife of British Prime Minister
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the Head of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom. The Prime Minister and Cabinet are collectively accountable for their policies and actions to the Sovereign, to Parliament, to their political party and...
David Lloyd George
David Lloyd George
David Lloyd George, 1st Earl Lloyd-George of Dwyfor OM, PC was a British Liberal politician and statesman...
.
Frances Stevenson was born in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. She was educated at Clapham
Clapham
Clapham is a district in south London, England, within the London Borough of Lambeth.Clapham covers the postcodes of SW4 and parts of SW9, SW8 and SW12. Clapham Common is shared with the London Borough of Wandsworth, although Lambeth has responsibility for running the common as a whole. According...
High School and Royal Holloway College, where she graduated with a Classics degree in 1910. In 1911 Lloyd George, then Chancellor of the Exchequer
Chancellor of the Exchequer
The Chancellor of the Exchequer is the title held by the British Cabinet minister who is responsible for all economic and financial matters. Often simply called the Chancellor, the office-holder controls HM Treasury and plays a role akin to the posts of Minister of Finance or Secretary of the...
, hired Stevenson as a governess for his youngest daughter Megan
Megan Lloyd George
Lady Megan Arfon Lloyd George CH was a British politician, the first female Member of Parliament for a Welsh constituency, and Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party. She later became a Labour MP....
. Lloyd George and Stevenson were soon attracted to each other. Although Stevenson, who wanted a conventional marriage and many children, hesitated about becoming the mistress of a married man, she agreed to become Lloyd George's personal secretary on his terms — which included a sexual relationship — in 1913.
Stevenson's vitality, prosperity and loyalty to Lloyd George, as well as her discretion in her work and personal life, gained her lover's admiration (although not fidelity). She was created a Commander of the Order of the British Empire
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
in 1918 and accompanied Lloyd George to the Paris Peace Conference
Paris Peace Conference, 1919
The Paris Peace Conference was the meeting of the Allied victors following the end of World War I to set the peace terms for the defeated Central Powers following the armistices of 1918. It took place in Paris in 1919 and involved diplomats from more than 32 countries and nationalities...
of 1919. Stevenson chose the location and supervised the construction of Lloyd George's country house in Churt
Churt
Churt is a village and civil parish in the borough of Waverley in Surrey, England. It is located on the A287 road between Hindhead and Farnham, and is split by the Surrey–Hampshire borders. Its origins date back to the Saxon period. The original boundary stones are visible at the junction of Green...
, Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
.
She also arranged and collated Lloyd George's extensive archive of personal and political papers so that he could write his War Memoirs. After having been persuaded by Lloyd George to have two abortion
Abortion
Abortion is defined as the termination of pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from the uterus of a fetus or embryo prior to viability. An abortion can occur spontaneously, in which case it is usually called a miscarriage, or it can be purposely induced...
s, Stevenson gave birth to a daughter, Jennifer, in 1929. Although Stevenson had been having an affair with Thomas Frederic Tweed
Thomas Frederic Tweed
Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Frederic Tweed MC was a British soldier and novelist.He was commissioned into the Lancashire Fusiliers. He won the Military Cross in World War I and at the age of 26 was named the youngest lieutenant colonel in the British Army at the time. He became a political adviser...
, a novelist who was one of Lloyd George's political advisers, Lloyd George was probably the father of Stevenson's child.
Two years after the death of Lloyd George's wife Margaret, Stevenson married Lloyd George on 23 October 1943 despite the disapproval of Lloyd George's children from his first marriage. Less than 18 months later, Lloyd George died on 26 March 1945.
Frances Stevenson, now the Dowager Countess Lloyd-George of Dwyfor, lived at Churt for the rest of her life, devoting her time to her family, charitable activities, perpetuating the memory of Lloyd George and writing. Her memoirs The Years That Are Past was published in 1967, and her diary of her life with Lloyd George was published in 1971.
Suggested reading
- Campbell, John, If Love Were All: The Story of Frances Stevenson and David Lloyd George, London: Jonathan Cape, 2006. ISBN 0-224-07464-4
- Hague, Ffion, The Pain and the Privilege: The Women in Lloyd George's Life, London: HarperPress, 2008
- Lloyd George, David and Frances, My Darling Pussy: The Letters of Lloyd George and Frances Stevenson, 1913-41, A.J.P. Taylor (editor), LondonLondonLondon is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
: Weidenfeld and Nicolson Publishers, 1975, ISBN 0-297-77017-9
- Lloyd George, Frances, Lloyd George: A Diary, A. J. P. Taylor (editor), LondonLondonLondon is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
:Hutchinson, 1971, ISBN 0-09-107270-0
- The Years That Are Past, LondonLondonLondon is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
:Hutchinson, 1967.
- Longford, Ruth (granddaughter of Frances Stevenson), Frances, Countess Lloyd George: More Than a Mistress, LeominsterLeominsterLeominster is a market town in Herefordshire, England, located approximately north of the city of Hereford and south of Ludlow, at...
: Gracewing, 1996, ISBN 0-85244-324-2