Alix Kilroy
Encyclopedia
Dame Alix Kilroy, Lady Meynell, DBE (1903-1999) was one of the first two women to have entered the administrative grade of the Civil Service by examination (in 1925). She got a desk at the Board of Trade
, where she ascended to Under-Secretary, where she served for 30 years aside from a brief spell at the newly formed Monopolies Commission. She retired in 1955.
She marked her 95th birthday by publishing a new book, What Grandmother Said, published in February 1998, was the latest and last of her writings. Her 1988 autobiography, Public Servant, Private Woman, charted her progress towards DBE through the corridors of government.
, educated at Malvern Girls' College
and at Somerville College, Oxford
, where she read Modern Greats.
Her unconventional relationship (without benefit of marriage until 1946) with Francis Meynell
, a poet, book designer and founder of Nonesuch Press
, was childless, although she was devoted to her husband's large family of nephews and nieces. Marriage in 1946 bestowed, as the wife of a "K" (he was knighted that year), the title of "Lady", although this honorific was, technically, to be trumped by the DBE awarded her in 1949.
At about the end of the Second World War, the couple acquired "Cobbold's Mill" between Lavenham
and Hadleigh, Suffolk, and there, for more than 20 years, they combined keeping open house to a multitude of friends with, until retirement, pursuit of their respective careers. She and her husband took up small-scale farming there. She was also active in anti-Suez activism and early post-war socialism.
Later, she was to become a founder-member of the SDP
, and as late as the 1997 election she encouraged her friends to vote Lib-Dem
rather than Labour
on the grounds that this could end the Tory
stranglehold on Suffolk South
; however, it did the opposite.
Board of Trade
The Board of Trade is a committee of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom, originating as a committee of inquiry in the 17th century and evolving gradually into a government department with a diverse range of functions...
, where she ascended to Under-Secretary, where she served for 30 years aside from a brief spell at the newly formed Monopolies Commission. She retired in 1955.
She marked her 95th birthday by publishing a new book, What Grandmother Said, published in February 1998, was the latest and last of her writings. Her 1988 autobiography, Public Servant, Private Woman, charted her progress towards DBE through the corridors of government.
Early years
"A.K." or "Bay" as she was known to friends, was the daughter of a Surgeon Commander of the Royal NavyRoyal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
, educated at Malvern Girls' College
Malvern Girls' College
Malvern St James is a leading independent school for girls in Great Malvern, Worcestershire, England. Renamed in 2006 from Malvern Girls' College following a succession of amalgamations with other independent schools for girls in the Malvern area, it continues to occupy the same campus as...
and at Somerville College, Oxford
Somerville College, Oxford
Somerville College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England, and was one of the first women's colleges to be founded there...
, where she read Modern Greats.
Her unconventional relationship (without benefit of marriage until 1946) with Francis Meynell
Francis Meynell
Sir Francis Meredith Wilfrid Meynell was a British poet and printer at The Nonesuch Press.He was son of the writer Alice Meynell, a suffragist and prominent Roman Catholic convert. Francis Meynell was brought in by George Lansbury to be business manager of the Daily Herald in 1913. He was...
, a poet, book designer and founder of Nonesuch Press
Nonesuch Press
Nonesuch Press was a private press founded in 1922 in London by Francis Meynell, his wife Vera Mendel, and David Garnett.-History:Nonesuch Press's first book, a volume of John Donne's Love Poems was issued in May 1923. In total, the press produced more than 140 books. The press was at its peak in...
, was childless, although she was devoted to her husband's large family of nephews and nieces. Marriage in 1946 bestowed, as the wife of a "K" (he was knighted that year), the title of "Lady", although this honorific was, technically, to be trumped by the DBE awarded her in 1949.
At about the end of the Second World War, the couple acquired "Cobbold's Mill" between Lavenham
Lavenham
Lavenham is a village and civil parish in Suffolk, England. It is noted for its 15th century church, half-timbered medieval cottages and circular walk. In the medieval period it was among the 20 wealthiest settlements in England...
and Hadleigh, Suffolk, and there, for more than 20 years, they combined keeping open house to a multitude of friends with, until retirement, pursuit of their respective careers. She and her husband took up small-scale farming there. She was also active in anti-Suez activism and early post-war socialism.
Later, she was to become a founder-member of the SDP
Social Democratic Party (UK)
The Social Democratic Party was a political party in the United Kingdom that was created on 26 March 1981 and existed until 1988. It was founded by four senior Labour Party 'moderates', dubbed the 'Gang of Four': Roy Jenkins, David Owen, Bill Rodgers and Shirley Williams...
, and as late as the 1997 election she encouraged her friends to vote Lib-Dem
Liberal Democrats
The Liberal Democrats are a social liberal political party in the United Kingdom which supports constitutional and electoral reform, progressive taxation, wealth taxation, human rights laws, cultural liberalism, banking reform and civil liberties .The party was formed in 1988 by a merger of the...
rather than Labour
Labour Party (UK)
The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after...
on the grounds that this could end the Tory
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
stranglehold on Suffolk South
South Suffolk (UK Parliament constituency)
South Suffolk is a county constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election.-Boundary review:...
; however, it did the opposite.