Rhoda Birley
Rhoda Birley | |
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 Lady Rhoda Birley in her garden at Charleston Manor, Sussex, c.1970s [1] | |
| Born | Rhoda Vava Mary Pike 3 February 1899 |
| Died | 15 June 1981 (aged 82) Sussex, England |
| Other names | Rhoda Vava Mary Lecky Pike |
| Occupations |
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| Known for | The gardens and festival at Charleston Manor |
| Spouse | |
| Children | |
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Rhoda Vava Mary, Lady Birley (née Pike; 1899–1981) was an Anglo-Irish gardener, model, and artist, known for developing the Charleston Manor gardens and founding the Charleston Manor Festival.
Early life and marriage
[edit | edit source]Rhoda Vava Mary Birley was born on 3 February 1899 in County Carlow [2] to Catherine Henrietta Pike (née Howard; c.1858–1930) [3][4] and Robert Lecky Pike (c.1858–1933).[5][6] Birley's birth year is sometimes miscited as 1900.[7]
Birley grew up in Kilknock House in County Carlow.[8] On the 14 September 1921, Birley married the portrait painter Oswald Birley at St Mary's Church, in St Marylebone, London.[9][10] The couple had two children Maxime de la Falaise, born in 1922, and Mark Birley, born in 1930.[11][12][13]
Career
[edit | edit source]In 1931, Birley and Oswald bought 12th century Charleston Manor in East Sussex. In 1932, the couple employed Walter Godfrey to restore the property, and to transform the properties barn into a concert hall.[14] Birley designed the gardens, and planted them alongside Oswald.[15][14]
Rhoda Birley founded the Charleston Manor Festival, initially calling it the Sussex Festival.[7][15] The festival emerged from poetry recitals, readings and talks that Birley began organising at the Manor in 1935.[citation needed]
Charleston Manor was sold in 1980.[16]
Death and legacy
[edit | edit source]Birley died on the 15 June 1981 aged 82.[17]
In 1928, William Reid Dick carved a stone bust of Birley.[18] Birley was the inspiration for Peter Jensen's Spring 2017 Ready-to-wear collection.[19][20]
See also
[edit | edit source]- Charleston Farmhouse, a similarly named property also in East Sussex, which holds the similarly named "Charleston Festival"
References
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