1. Anne Constance Smedley was a British artist, playwright, author and founder of the International Association of Lyceum Clubs.
15 Facts About Constance Smedley
1. 2.
Constance Smedley was the first cousin of his friend and fellow artist William Smedley-Aston.
3.
Constance Smedley encouraged her husband to become a pacifist and Christian Scientist.
4.
Constance Smedley had a strong influence on her godchild Joan Ellen Rayner who had come from Australia to study social work in England.
5.
Constance Smedley had founded the Greenleaf Theatre which was a new approach to acting.
6.
Constance Smedley was a prolific author and she was embarrassed by being a female member of her writers' club.
7.
Constance Smedley approached the club with the support of Christina Gowans Whyte, Elsa Hahn, Violet Alcock, and an American, Jessie Trimble.
8.
Constance Smedley proposed changes to the club but her ideas were refused.
9.
Constance Smedley realised that women needed a respectable club that offered good hospitality.
10.
Constance Smedley formed a committee and despite writing to 60 writers they found only two extra supporters.
11.
Constance Smedley's father offered to fund a clubhouse if she could find a 1,000 members.
12.
Jessie Trimble proposed that the new club be called the Lyceum Club and the new committee arranged for Constance Smedley to meet Lady Frances Balfour.
13.
Constance Smedley placed an advert in the "English Women's Yearbook".
14.
Constance Smedley became the founder of the International Association of Lyceum Clubs.
15.
Constance Smedley died in West Wycombe, and was buried in the churchyard of St Lawrence.