11 Facts About Athene Seyler

Athene Seyler was born in Hackney, London; her German-born grandparents moved to the United Kingdom, where her grandfather Philip Seyler was a merchant in London.

Athene Seyler was educated at Coombe Hill School in Surrey, a progressive co-educational school which disliked petitionary prayer and whose advanced biology classes studied Darwin's On the Origin of Species.

Athene Seyler was active in the South Place Ethical Society during the 1920s, where her father Clarence H Seyler took his family for many years to hear Moncure Conway lecture as an alternative to attending a religious Sunday service.

Athene Seyler first appeared on the stage in 1909, and was initially known as a stage actress.

Athene Seyler made her film debut in 1921, and subsequently became known for playing slightly dotty old ladies in many British films from the 1930s to the 1960s.

Athene Seyler was a regular cast member in screen adaptations of Charles Dickens' novels.

Athene Seyler was cast as a Chinese woman in Passport to China.

Athene Seyler virtually retired from acting after 1970 but continued making public appearances until well into the 1980s, and as a guest of Terry Wogan on his eponymous BBC chat show.

Athene Seyler was President of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art from 1950, and a member of the Theatrical Ladies' Guild.

Athene Seyler was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1959.

Athene Seyler died in 1990, aged 101, and her ashes were placed in the Hannen Columbarium in St Mary's Churchyard, Wargrave.