Marjorie Proops
Encyclopedia
Rebecca Marjorie Proops born Rebecca Marjorie Israel, was probably best known as an agony aunt in the United Kingdom, writing the column Dear Marje for the Daily Mirror newspaper.
Proops was born in Woking
, Surrey
to Alfred (a publican) and Martha Israel (Née
Rayle). The family moved to London
and Margorie was educated at Dalston
Secondary School. In 1935 she married Sidney Joseph Proops, with whom she had a son, Robert.
In 1939, Proops became a journalist. Her first job was as fashion correspondent for the Daily Mirror. Following the death of the problem page editor, Proops was given the job of reading and answering her correspondence, and soon became the agony aunt herself, a post she held until her own death. As well as being an adviser, she used her column to campaign for numerous causes. One that she advocated for was the establishment of special "suites" for the treatment and interviewing of rape victims, to minimize the stigma of reporting such crimes. It was alleged by fellow newspaper columnist Vernon Coleman
that she may have held racist views.
Her radio appearances included a guest spot on the BBC Radio 4
comedy programme Just a Minute
. Her book Pride, Prejudice and Proops (Time Remembered) was published in 1975, followed by Dear Marje a year later.
She was appointed OBE
in 1969, awarded Woman of the Year in 1984, had a waxwork in Madame Tussauds
in 1977 and in 1971 appeared on This is Your Life
. In 2008 it was reported that a BBC
documentary on her life was in production.
Proops is buried at Golders Green Jewish Cemetery
, in London, England.
Proops was born in Woking
Woking
Woking is a large town and civil parish that shares its name with the surrounding local government district, located in the west of Surrey, UK. It is part of the Greater London Urban Area and the London commuter belt, with frequent trains and a journey time of 24 minutes to Waterloo station....
, 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...
to Alfred (a publican) and Martha Israel (Née
NEE
NEE is a political protest group whose goal was to provide an alternative for voters who are unhappy with all political parties at hand in Belgium, where voting is compulsory.The NEE party was founded in 2005 in Antwerp...
Rayle). The family moved to 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...
and Margorie was educated at Dalston
Dalston
Dalston is a district of north-east London, England, located in the London Borough of Hackney. It is situated northeast of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London...
Secondary School. In 1935 she married Sidney Joseph Proops, with whom she had a son, Robert.
In 1939, Proops became a journalist. Her first job was as fashion correspondent for the Daily Mirror. Following the death of the problem page editor, Proops was given the job of reading and answering her correspondence, and soon became the agony aunt herself, a post she held until her own death. As well as being an adviser, she used her column to campaign for numerous causes. One that she advocated for was the establishment of special "suites" for the treatment and interviewing of rape victims, to minimize the stigma of reporting such crimes. It was alleged by fellow newspaper columnist Vernon Coleman
Vernon Coleman
Vernon Coleman is a former general practitioner, and the author of over 100 books, including non-fiction works about human health, politics, cricket, and animal issues, and a range of novels. Son of an electrical engineer, he grew up an only child, in Walsall, West Midlands, England, where he...
that she may have held racist views.
Her radio appearances included a guest spot on the BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4 is a British domestic radio station, operated and owned by the BBC, that broadcasts a wide variety of spoken-word programmes, including news, drama, comedy, science and history. It replaced the BBC Home Service in 1967. The station controller is currently Gwyneth Williams, and the...
comedy programme Just a Minute
Just a Minute
Just a Minute is a BBC Radio 4 radio comedy panel game chaired by Nicholas Parsons. Its first transmission on Radio 4 was on 22 December 1967, three months after the station's launch. The Radio 4 programme won a Gold Sony Radio Academy Award in 2003....
. Her book Pride, Prejudice and Proops (Time Remembered) was published in 1975, followed by Dear Marje a year later.
She was appointed OBE
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 1969, awarded Woman of the Year in 1984, had a waxwork in Madame Tussauds
Madame Tussauds
Madame Tussauds is a wax museum in London with branches in a number of major cities. It was founded by wax sculptor Marie Tussaud and was formerly known as "Madame Tussaud's", but the apostrophe is no longer used...
in 1977 and in 1971 appeared on This is Your Life
This Is Your Life (UK TV series)
This Is Your Life is a British biographical television documentary, based on the 1952 American show of the same name. It was hosted by Eamonn Andrews from 1955 until 1964, and then from 1969 until his death in 1987 aged 64...
. In 2008 it was reported that a BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
documentary on her life was in production.
Proops is buried at Golders Green Jewish Cemetery
Golders Green
Golders Green is an area in the London Borough of Barnet in London, England. Although having some earlier history, it is essentially a 19th century suburban development situated about 5.3 miles north west of Charing Cross and centred on the crossroads of Golders Green Road and Finchley Road.In the...
, in London, England.