Charles Frederick Gurney Masterman and Lucy Blanche Masterman

Charles Masterman (1873-1927) was a Liberal politician, who served as a Member of Parliament from 1906 to 1914 and again from 1923 to 1924. He held a series of government posts between 1908 and 1915 and played an important part in the preparation and implementation of the National Insurance Act of 1911 and in the organisation of British government propaganda during World War I. He was a prolific writer, publishing a number of books and contributing articles and reviews to newspapers and periodicals of the time.

Lucy Masterman, Charles's wife, (1884-1977), was the daughter of General Sir Neville Lyttelton and Lady Katherine (ne Stuart-Wortley). Before her marriage, Lucy had already earned a reputation as a poet. During her lifetime she published several volumes of verse, as well as contributing poetry, reviews and historical articles to newspapers and magazines over a period of 60 years. Her major literary work was her biography of Charles Masterman, published in 1939. After the death of her husband, Lucy continued to lead an energetic political life. She fought the Salisbury seat for the Liberal party unsuccessfully in the 1929 and 1931 General Elections and maintained an active correspondence with Liberal politicians until the 1970s. She had many interests, particularly the role of women, the plight of World War II refugees and prison reform.

Reference: Finding aid to the Masterman Papers