The remarkable life of the Honourable Elizabeth Montagu, elder sister of Edward, 3rd Baron Montagu of Beaulieu, whose story is introduced in The Lady and The Rebel exhibition at Palace House. Actress, writer, linguist, musician and secret agent, Elizabeth exchanged a life of privilege for a colourful and sometimes dangerous career in war torn Europe.
The Debutante who rebelled
Born as heir to the Beaulieu Estate in 1909, this feisty, impulsive woman needed to spread her wings. The birth of her younger brother Edward gave her that freedom. After a period on the London West End stage, Elizabeth spent much of the 1930s studying in Switzerland and travelling across Europe, developing her fluency in German, French and Italian – skills that would prove invaluable at the outbreak of war.
On the outbreak of the Second World War, Elizabeth joined a women’s military unit which went to France but she refused to leave when the British evacuated in June 1940. After living under cover, she evaded arrest by the Gestapo and escaped to Switzerland where she became a secret agent, working for Britain and America. After the war, she went into film production, notably introducing Graham Greene to Vienna prior to him writing The Third Man on which she was dialogue director.
The Book
The full memoir of Elizabeth Montagu, richly illustrated with photographs of all the main personalities she encountered in her life, as well as many previously unpublished pictures from the Montagu family archives.
To place an order, email gift.shop@beaulieu.co.uk. Price from: £19.00 inc P&P*.
THE FILM on DVD
Dorothea Myer-Bennett plays Elizabeth in this cinematic portrayal of her life directed by Mike Fraser. Narrated by Diana Rigg, much of the film was shot on the Beaulieu Estate. Full cast and crew on IMDB.
To place an order, email gift.shop@beaulieu.co.uk. Price from: £13.00 inc P&P*.
* UK delivery.
LISTEN TO HER
Dorothea Myer-Bennett captures the spirit of the author as she narrates the words of Elizabeth in this audio book of her autobiography.
Available on Audible, Amazon, iTunes, Apple books, Google Play Books