Edith Waldemar Leverton
Edith Waldemar Leverton, was an English writer and editor. She contributed to magazines, including The Lady's Realm and The Play Pictorial and published several books on household management and cookery, including a vegetarian cookbook. She worked as a sub-editor for The World of Dress and was active in theatre, founding "The Leverton Players" and writing plays, including A Writer of Plays under the pseudonym E. Notrovel. She also served as secretary of the Women's Automobile and Sports Association and played a key role in establishing infant and child welfare initiatives.
Biography
Early and personal life
Edith Annie Bedbrook was born on Portsea Island on 21 April 1868. Her father was James Albert Bedbrook, Chief Inspector of Machinery for the Royal Navy.She married Frank John Waldemar Leverton at St Luke's Church, Battersea, on 27 June 1894. He died in 1897. Being widowed at a young age, she faced financial hardships, but managed to live independently. She was described as outgoing, self-assured, and assertive. She was often seen riding a tricycle around Littlehampton, where she lived.
Career
Writing
Waldemar Leverton authored articles for magazines, including The Lady's Realm and The Play Pictorial. She also published several books, including Household Hints, The Vegetarian Cookery Book, Little Economies and How to Practice Them, and Servants and Their ''Duties''.Editing
Waldemar Leverton worked as sub-editor of the magazine The World of Dress.Theatre work
Waldemar Leverton presented the theatre company known as "The Leverton Players" in a series of performances, starting with a short three-week season at the Royal Court Theatre in 1913. She wrote the play A Writer of Plays under the pseudonym E. Notrovel.Waldemar Leverton also appeared in several productions, including Fantasy and Flame, as Mrs. Wayre; Mirage of Misfortune, as Mrs. Braithwaite; The Stranger at the Inn, as Mrs. Cherry; and The Castle of Fate, as Cattiva.
Waldemar Leverton wrote and produced A Song of Sixpence, a "nonsense" play which was performed, in 1939, by the Little Marlow and Bourne End Women's Institute to support the Little Marlow Nursing Association. Her production, featuring modern tunes and colourful costumes, was well received and helped raise funds for the cause.
Other activities
Waldemar Leverton served as secretary of the Women's Automobile and Sports Association. She was also a member of the Society of Women Journalists.Waldemar Leverton was in charge of introducing the Association of Infant Consultations and Schools for Mothers in Glamorgan, South Wales. In her role, she led this initiative as part of the infant welfare department of the National League for Physical Education and Improvement. She also collaborated with the Duchess of Norfolk in Arundel and Littlehampton, contributing to the establishment of Child Welfare Centres.