Violet Helen Attlee, Countess Attlee (; 20 November 1895 – 7 June 1964) was the wife of British politician and

Prime Minister A prime minister, premier or chief of cabinet is the head of the cabinet and the leader of the ministers in the executive branch of government, often in a parliamentary or semi-presidential system. Under those systems, a prime minister is ...

Clement Attlee Clement Richard Attlee, 1st Earl Attlee, (3 January 18838 October 1967) was a British politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1945 to 1951 and Leader of the Labour Party from 1935 to 1955. He was Deputy Prime Min ...

Early life and education

Violet Helen Millar was born in Hampstead as the tenth child and youngest daughter of Henry Edward Millar, a prosperous businessman. She had a twin sister, Olive Christine. Her early education took place in Hampstead before she went to Saint Felix School, a boarding school in Southwold, and she worked as a VAD throughout the

First World War World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fig ...

. In the summer of 1921, she went with her mother to

Italy Italy ( it, Italia ), officially the Italian Republic, ) or the Republic of Italy, is a country in Southern Europe. It is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and its territory largely coincides with the homonymous geographical ...

; joining them on the trip were her brother Cedric and a former

Oxford Oxford () is a city in England. It is the county town and only city of Oxfordshire. In 2020, its population was estimated at 151,584. It is north-west of London, south-east of Birmingham and north-east of Bristol. The city is home to the Un ...

friend, Clement Attlee. Within a few weeks of their return, Violet and Clement became engaged and were married at Christ Church, Hampstead on 10 January 1922. Theirs would be a devoted marriage. Their four children were: *Lady Janet Helen (1923–2019) *Lady Felicity Ann (1925–2007) * Martin Richard (1927–1991) *Lady Alison Elizabeth (1930–2016) Violet joined the Labour Party shortly after her marriage to Clement.

Later life

A kind, unassuming woman who was not, by her own admission, "a political wife", Violet Attlee assisted in personal matters, for instance arranging annual Boxing Day parties at Chequers for the children of her husband's ministerial colleagues. She was constantly at Clement's side at party conferences, at innumerable gatherings overseas, and in the detailed chores of his political career. She acted as his regular driver during postwar elections. In August 1950, she joined London's Civil Defence Corps. Since 1915, she had had considerable experience with the British Red Cross Society, having led a detachment for a number of years. Frequently in poor health, Violet Attlee took ill suddenly, and was admitted to Amersham Hospital on 7 June 1964. Seven hours later, she died of a cerebral haemorrhage. With her were her husband, son, second daughter, and the latter's husband. Having been married to her for 42 years, Clement Attlee outlived his wife by three years.

Shorthand titles

* Miss Violet Millar (20 November 1895 – 10 January 1922) * Mrs Clement Attlee (10 January 1922 – 16 December 1955) * The Rt Hon The Countess Attlee (16 December 1955 – 7 June 1964)

References

Sources

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External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Attlee, Violet 1895 births 1964 deaths Spouses of prime ministers of the United Kingdom British countesses People from Hampstead Clement Attlee People educated at Saint Felix School