RA Collection: People and Organisations
Christine Longford, Countess of Longford (née Trew; born in 1900 in Somerset, died 14 May 1980, Dublin, Ireland) was a playwright. She attended Oxford Wells High School and won a scholarship to study Classics at Somerville College, Oxford. While there she met and in 1925 married Edward Pakenham, later 6th Earl of Longford. She moved to Ireland with her husband in 1925. They divided their time between Dublin and Pakenham Hall, now Tullynally Castle, in Castlepollard, County Westmeath.
In 1930, Christine Longford and her husband bought shares in The Dublin Gate Theatre Company. In addition to designing costumes and managing productions Christine wrote plays including Lord Edward and Patrick Sarsfield. She also adapted novels for the stage, including Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.
Her books include Making Conversation, (1931); Country Places, (1932); A Biography of Dublin (1936), and Lord Edward (1940)
Born: 1900 in Somerset
Died: 14 May 1980