Edith Sitwell

Richard Greene (University of Toronto)

The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 1.2.1.08: English Writing and Culture of the early Twentieth Century , 1900-1945.
Vol. editors: Chris Baldick (Goldsmiths College, University of London), Peter Childs (Birmingham Newman University), Louise McDonald (Birmingham Newman University), Andrew Radford (University of Glasgow)

Dates

Born 7 Sep 1887
Died 9 Dec 1964
Activity 1915-1964

Places

Born in England
Active in England

Activities

Primary

Poet

Other

Biographer

Resources

Sitwell's Works

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Edith Louisa Sitwell was born on 7 September 1887, daughter of Sir George Sitwell, an expert on genealogy and landscaping. Her mother was the eighteen-year-old Lady Ida, daughter of the Earl of Londesborough and granddaughter of the Duke of Beaufort. Edith described Lady Ida as neglectful, sometimes cruel, and often drunk; she spoke of her father as being interested only in sons. Her brothers Osbert (1892-1969) and Sacheverell (1897-1988), who both became distinguished authors, had happier memories of childhood, but all three eventually became estranged from their parents.

Edith's early years were divided mainly between Renishaw Hall in Derbyshire and Scarborough, where Sir George's mother, Louisa Sitwell, made her home, as did the Londesboroughs. The family often travelled on the

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2217 words

Citation: Greene, Richard. "Edith Sitwell". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 18 March 2004 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=4094, accessed 24 November 2024.]