Thomas Frederic Tweed
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Frederic Tweed MC
(1890–30 April 1940) 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 to David Lloyd George
from 1927 until Tweed's death from a stroke
. Tweed was primarily famous for his novels, among which were Blind Mouths and Rinehard. The latter was turned into the successful 1933 film Gabriel Over the White House
, directed by Gregory LaCava and starring Walter Huston
.
In the novel Rinehard and the film Gabriel Over the White House, the character of Pendie Molloy, the President's secretary (played in the film by Karen Morley
), is based on Frances Stevenson
, Lloyd George's secretary and mistress
, with whom Tweed also had an affair
.
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
(1890–30 April 1940) was a British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
soldier and novelist.
He was commissioned into the Lancashire Fusiliers
Lancashire Fusiliers
The Lancashire Fusiliers was a British infantry regiment that was amalgamated with other Fusilier regiments in 1968 to form the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.- Formation and early history:...
. He won the Military Cross
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
in 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...
and at the age of 26 was named the youngest lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant-Colonel (UK)
Lieutenant colonel is a rank in the British Army and Royal Marines which is also used in many Commonwealth countries. The rank is superior to major, and subordinate to colonel...
in the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
at the time. He became a political adviser to David Lloyd George
David Lloyd George
David Lloyd George, 1st Earl Lloyd-George of Dwyfor OM, PC was a British Liberal politician and statesman...
from 1927 until Tweed's death from a stroke
Stroke
A stroke, previously known medically as a cerebrovascular accident , is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This can be due to ischemia caused by blockage , or a hemorrhage...
. Tweed was primarily famous for his novels, among which were Blind Mouths and Rinehard. The latter was turned into the successful 1933 film Gabriel Over the White House
Gabriel Over the White House
Gabriel Over the White House is a 1933 American Pre-Code film variously described as a "bizarre political fantasy" or a "comedy drama" that "is surprisingly socialist in tone " and which "posits a favorable view of fascism."The film stars Walter Huston, Karen Morley, Franchot Tone, C. Henry Gordon,...
, directed by Gregory LaCava and starring Walter Huston
Walter Huston
Walter Thomas Huston was a Canadian-born American actor. He was the father of actor and director John Huston and the grandfather of actress Anjelica Huston and actor Danny Huston.-Life and career:...
.
In the novel Rinehard and the film Gabriel Over the White House, the character of Pendie Molloy, the President's secretary (played in the film by Karen Morley
Karen Morley
-Life and career:Born Mildred Linton in Ottumwa, Iowa, Morley lived there until she was thirteen years old. When she came to Hollywood, she attended Hollywood High School, and she later graduated from UCLA....
), is based on Frances Stevenson
Frances Stevenson
Frances Stevenson, Countess Lloyd-George of Dwyfor, CBE was the mistress, personal secretary, confidante and second wife of British Prime Minister David Lloyd George....
, Lloyd George's secretary and mistress
Mistress (lover)
A mistress is a long-term female lover and companion who is not married to her partner; the term is used especially when her partner is married. The relationship generally is stable and at least semi-permanent; however, the couple does not live together openly. Also the relationship is usually,...
, with whom Tweed also had an affair
Affair
Affair may refer to professional, personal, or public business matters or to a particular business or private activity of a temporary duration, as in family affair, a private affair, or a romantic affair.-Political affair:...
.
For more information
- Longford, Ruth. Frances, Countess Lloyd George: More Than a Mistress. Leominster, Herefordshire: Gracewing, 1996. ISBN 0-85244-324-2