Marta Cunningham
Encyclopedia
Marta Cunningham CBE was an American
-born Europe
an-based soprano
-singer and philanthropist
.
Born in 1869 in Brazos County, Texas
, her parents were Albert Baxter and Martha Minerva Tharp Cunningham, both from DeSoto Parish, Louisiana. Marta was educated to high school level at the Convent of Notre Dame
, Baltimore
.
She then emigrated to Europe, where she trained classically, making her debut as a soprano
soloist at the coronation of King Edward VII in 1901. She then made regular tours of England
, Ireland
and the United States, until taking up a residency at Claridges Hotel, London, from 1910 until 1912, presenting "matinees musicales."
At the outbreak of World War I
she resided in London, undertaking charity and canteen work in the East End
. In 1919 while visiting her local hospital, Cunningham asked the matron
if she still had any wounded servicemen under treatment? Horrified to be given the answer 600, Cunningham discovered there were thousands of wounded men lying in hospitals, bored, lonely, and in pain. Cunningham established The Not Forgotten Association
, with the object of providing entertainment and recreation for the war crippled that would alleviate the tedium of their lives and give them something to which they could look forward. Through her royal connections, Cunningham persuaded HRH Princess Mary
to become the Association’s first patron, a position she held until her death in 1965. Cunningham devoted the rest of her life to the charity, for which in 1929 she was awarded a CBE
.
Cunningham herself died on June 25, 1937, and is buried in Hanwell Cemetery
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
-born Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an-based soprano
Soprano
A soprano is a voice type with a vocal range from approximately middle C to "high A" in choral music, or to "soprano C" or higher in operatic music. In four-part chorale style harmony, the soprano takes the highest part, which usually encompasses the melody...
-singer and philanthropist
Philanthropist
A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...
.
Born in 1869 in Brazos County, Texas
Brazos County, Texas
Brazos County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas in the Central Texas region. In 2010, its population was 194,851. The county seat is Bryan and it is part of the Bryan-College Station metropolitan area. Brazos is named for the Brazos River, along with Brazoria...
, her parents were Albert Baxter and Martha Minerva Tharp Cunningham, both from DeSoto Parish, Louisiana. Marta was educated to high school level at the Convent of Notre Dame
College of Notre Dame of Maryland
Notre Dame of Maryland University is an independent, Catholic-affiliated, liberal arts college located in Baltimore, Maryland, United States, that primarily serves female students.-History:...
, Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
.
She then emigrated to Europe, where she trained classically, making her debut as a soprano
Soprano
A soprano is a voice type with a vocal range from approximately middle C to "high A" in choral music, or to "soprano C" or higher in operatic music. In four-part chorale style harmony, the soprano takes the highest part, which usually encompasses the melody...
soloist at the coronation of King Edward VII in 1901. She then made regular tours of England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
and the United States, until taking up a residency at Claridges Hotel, London, from 1910 until 1912, presenting "matinees musicales."
At the outbreak of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
she resided in London, undertaking charity and canteen work in the East End
East End of London
The East End of London, also known simply as the East End, is the area of London, England, United Kingdom, east of the medieval walled City of London and north of the River Thames. Although not defined by universally accepted formal boundaries, the River Lea can be considered another boundary...
. In 1919 while visiting her local hospital, Cunningham asked the matron
Matron
Matron is the job title of a very senior nurse in several countries, including the United Kingdom, its former colonies, including the Republic of Ireland, although the title Clinical Nurse Manager has become acceptable as an alternative.-History:...
if she still had any wounded servicemen under treatment? Horrified to be given the answer 600, Cunningham discovered there were thousands of wounded men lying in hospitals, bored, lonely, and in pain. Cunningham established The Not Forgotten Association
Not Forgotten Association
The Not Forgotten Association is a United Kingdom Armed Forces registered charity for serving and ex-service men and women that operates throughout the United Kingdom...
, with the object of providing entertainment and recreation for the war crippled that would alleviate the tedium of their lives and give them something to which they could look forward. Through her royal connections, Cunningham persuaded HRH Princess Mary
Mary, Princess Royal and Countess of Harewood
The Princess Mary, Princess Royal and Countess of Harewood was a member of the British Royal Family; she was the third child and only daughter of King George V and Queen Mary. She was the sixth holder of the title of Princess Royal...
to become the Association’s first patron, a position she held until her death in 1965. Cunningham devoted the rest of her life to the charity, for which in 1929 she was awarded a CBE
CBE
CBE and C.B.E. are abbreviations for "Commander of the Order of the British Empire", a grade in the Order of the British Empire.Other uses include:* Chemical and Biochemical Engineering...
.
Cunningham herself died on June 25, 1937, and is buried in Hanwell Cemetery
Hanwell Cemetery
Hanwell Cemetery is a cemetery located in Hanwell, Ealing, west London. Originally called City of Westminster Cemetery it is owned and managed by the City of Westminster's Parks Service.-History:...
.