Ralph David Richardson (1902 - 1983)

Born 19 Dec 1902 in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England, United Kingdom

Ancestors

Husband of Muriel Bathia (Hewitt) Richardson — married 1924 in Hampstead, London, England, United Kingdom

Husband of Muriel Elsa Florence (Forbes-Robertson) Richardson — married 1944 in Chelsea, London, England.

Died 10 Oct 1983 at age 80 in Marylebone, London, England, United Kingdom

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Biography

Ralph Richardson is Notable.

Early life

Ralph David Richardson was born in Tivoli Road, Tivoli, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England on 19th December 1902.^[1][2][3] Ralph's birth was registered^[4][5] during the first quarter of 1903 in the district of Cheltenham.

He was the youngest of the three sons of Arthur Richardson (1866-1928) and his wife, Lydia Susie (Russell) Richardson (1870-abt.1953). His brothers were Christopher Richardson (1893-1932) and Ambrose Richardson (1896-1971).

In 1907, Lydia and Arthur split up, Ralph staying with his mother and the two elder boys with their father. ^[6] At the time of the^[7]April 1911 census, eight year old Ralph was with his mother in a nine roomed bungalow at Beach Lodge Bungalow (the bungalow was converted from two railway carriages), at Shoreham-by-Sea, Sussex, England.^[3] His father was an Art Teacher at Cheltenham Ladies' College, while his brother, Christopher, was was with his paternal grandparents in Elswick, Northumberland and Ambrose was a naval cadet at Birkenhead, Cheshire.

His mother wished for him to become a priest, but although he enjoyed his time as an altar boy in Brighton, when he was sent to Xaverian College, a seminary in about 1918, he absconded.

In 1919 at the age of 16, Ralph became an office boy with the Liverpool and Victoria insurance company's Brighton branch.

Upon inheriting £500 from his paternal grandmother, Catherine (Fry) Richardson (1838-1919), he left the Liverpool and Victoria insurance company and enrolled in the Brighton School of Art but he left the art school in 1920.

His Early Acting Career

He settled upon acting after seeing a touring production of Hamlet. Using his grandmother's legacy, he paid ten shillings a week to a local theatrical manager to become part of his company and learn the craft of acting. His stage debut was with the St Nicholas Players at the St Nicholas Hall, Brighton (a converted bacon factory) in December 1920.

Ralph was subsequently engaged at £3 a week by Charles Doran, who specialised in Shakespeare. His first appearance as a professional actor was at the Marina Theatre, Lowestoft, in August 1921, as Lorenzo in The Merchant of Venice. He stayed with the company for almost two years.

Upon leaving, he felt the need to try more modern work before returning to the classics in Nigel Playfair's production of The Way of the World in August 1924.

First Marriage

It was whilst on this tour that he met his first wife, Muriel Hewitt, also known as "Kit". They married in Hampstead, London, England on 18 September 1924.^[8]The marriage was registered^[9]during the third quarter of 1924 in the district of Hampstead, Middlesex, England.

A period of touring and working together followed for the couple, and during a stint at the Haymarket Theatre in the West End of London from 1926-1928, Ralph got some very favourable reviews. ^[10] It was during this time that it became apparent that Ralph's wife, Muriel was suffering from Encephalitis lethargica, a progressive and incurable illness.

Ralph, an Actor, and his wife^[11]Muriel Hewitt disembarked at Southampton, Hampshire, England on 9 September 1929 after arriving second class on^[12]SS Armadale Castle from Natal, South Africa via South Africa Coast Ports and Madeira.

The 1930's

In 1930-32 he was a member of the Old Vic Theatre company and he appeared at the Malvern Festival in August 1932. During the rest of the thirties he did both film and stage work in England and toured the US as well as doing a stint on Broadway. His television debut was in 1939.

Ralph, an Actor, on 21 February 1934, who at the time resided in Gloucester Road London^[13]passed the Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate at the De Havilland School of Flying in a D H 60G 100 Gipsy aeroplane.

Ralph, an Actor, and who resided in Gloucester Road, London, disembarked first class^[14]at Southampton aboard^[15]RMS Aquitania on 15 January 1936 from New York.

The September 1939 register^[16]shows Ralph residing with his wife Muriel Richardson and housekeeper in Portland Place, London.

Wartime

At the outbreak of the second world war, Ralph Richardson joined the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve as a sub-lieutenant pilot, having taken flying lessons during the 1930s. He acquired the nickname "Pranger" Richardson and rose to the rank of lieutenant-commander. During the WWII he also starred in several morale boosting stage shows and war/propaganda films.

In 1942, he had a motorbike crash and was in hospital for several weeks. Later that year, his wife Muriel died on Oct 5 1942. ^[17][18][19]

Second Marriage

In the first quarter of 1944, he married again, to Muriel Elsa Florence "Meriel" Forbes-Robertson (1913-2000) in Chelsea, London, England. ^[20]

Old Vic

Also in 1944, he started running the Old Vic Theatre, London (which had previously been severely damaged by bombing) jointly with Lawrence Olivier and stage director John Burrell, The Old Vic governors having approached the Royal Navy to secure the release of Richardson and Olivier from war duties. This triumverate ran the Old Vic until 1947, during which year Ralph Richardson was knighted. It is said that these years were the greatest and most illustrious for the Old Vic.

Fatherhood

In 1945, Ralph and Meriel had a child, Charles D Richardson. ^[21]

Ralph, an Actor, his wife Muriel Richardson, son Charles Richardson and Joan Garford, their Children's Nurse who resided at Bedyars Lea, Kenwood Close, London embarked^[22]on^[23]RMS Queen Mary at Southampton on 2 June 1948 arriving in ^[24]New York, United States of America on 7 June 1948.

International Career

Film roles followed, including work for Alexander Korda in Hollywood, as well as more stage work in the West End, work on british films and radio plays. He was nominated for an Oscar for his work in "The Heiress" (1949). David Lean's The Sound Barrier (1952) earned him a BAFTA award for best actor. In 1952 he also appeared at the Stratford-upon-Avon Festival at the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre. In late 1954 and early 1955 Richardson and his wife toured Australia with Terence Rattigan stage plays.

Ralph and his wife Muriel Richardson^[25]disembarked from^[26]RMS Queen Elizabeth at Southampton on 20 May 1957 after arriving in First Class from New York. At the time of arrival the couple resided in Kenwood Close, London and Ralph is noted as an Actor.

Later Years

The 1960's saw Ralph Richardson make 13 films, in between his stage plays. He did various work for TV including plays, a drama series (which gained mixed reviews) and the voice of General Haig in the twenty-six-part BBC documentary series The Great War. He also made numerous sound recordings, including poetry.

The Brazilian Consulate recorded his address as Kenwood Close, London, NW3 on 28th December 1961, on a travel visa to that country. ^[27]

More films followed in the early 70's. In 1973 Richardson received a BAFTA nomination for his performance of George IV in Lady Caroline Lamb. He joined the National Theatre in 1975, aged 72 and continued working in a variety of media up until his death in the 1980's. Richardson's last three films – one for television and two for the cinema – were released after his death. He was posthumously nominated for an Academy Award or "Oscar" for "Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes" (1984).

Death

Richardson, late of Chester Terrace, Regents Park, London, suffered a series of strokes, from which he died^[28][29][30]on 10 October 1983 at the age of eighty in Marylebone, Westminster, London, England. ^[31][32][33] His passing was registered^[34]during the fourth quarter of 1983 in Westminster, London. Ralph's probate^[35]was administered in London and completed six months after his passing on 6 April 1984 detailing effects of £1,291,468.00.

The funeral Mass was at Richardson's favourite church, the Church of our Lady of the Assumption and St Gregory, in Soho, London, England. He was buried in Highgate Cemetery East, Highgate, Camden, London and the following month there was a memorial service in Westminster Abbey. ^[36]

His wife Meriel died in 2000, two years after their son Charles passed away. ^[37][38][39]

Research Notes

Gary O'Connor, biographer.

Census

April 1911 Census

September 1939 Register

Sources

1. ↑ England and Wales Birth Registration Index, 1903, March Quarter in CHELTENHAM, Volume 06A, Page 455, Ralph David RICHARDSON, mother's maiden surname RUSSELL. Accessed 5 Dec 2020 at England and Wales General Register Office Online Index.
2. ↑ "England and Wales Death Registration Index 1837-2007," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVZ7-LFY9 : 4 September 2014), Ralph David Richardson, 1983; from "England & Wales Deaths, 1837-2006," database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing Death Registration, Westminster, London, England, General Register Office, Southport, England.
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} "England and Wales Census, 1911," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X713-3H5 : 29 June 2017), Ralph David Richardson, Hove, The Beach Shorehan-By-Sea, Sussex, England; from "1911 England and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO RG 14, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey.
4. ↑ Birth Registration:"England & Wales General Register Office"
   GRO Online Indexes - Birth (accessed 6 December 2023)
   Richardson, Ralph David (Mother's maiden name: Russell).
   GRO Reference: 1903 Jan-Feb-Mar in Cheltenham Volume 06A Page 455
5. ↑ Birth Registration: "England & Wales Birth Index"
   FreeBMD Entry Information (accessed 6 December 2023)
   Richardson, Ralph David.
   GRO Reference: 1903 Jan-Feb-Mar in Cheltenham Volume 6a Page 455
6. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ralph_Richardson#Early_years
7. ↑ 1911 Census:"1911 England Census"
   The National Archives of the UK (TNA); Kew, Surrey, England; Census Returns of England and Wales, 1911; Registration District Number: 80; ED, institution, or vessel: 13; Piece: 5216
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 2352 #51532357 (accessed 6 December 2023)
   Ralph David Richardson (8) son in household of Lydia Susie Richardson (39) in Beach Lodge The Beach Bungalon Shoreham By Sea Sussex, Hove, Sussex, England. Born in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
8. ↑ "England and Wales Marriage Registration Index, 1837-2005," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVZ5-88N4 : 8 October 2014), Muriel B Hewitt and null, 1924; from “England & Wales Marriages, 1837-2005,” database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing 1924, quarter 3, vol. 1A, p. 1690, Hampstead, London, England, General Register Office, Southport, England.
9. ↑ Marriage Registration:"England & Wales Marriage Index"
   FreeBMD Entry Information (accessed 6 December 2023)
   Richardson, Ralph D.
   GRO Reference: 1924 Jul-Aug-Sep in Hampstead Volume 1a Page 1690
10. ↑ Horace Horsnell of The Observer
11. ↑ Passenger List:"UK and Ireland, Incoming Passenger Lists, 1878-1960"
    The National Archives in Washington, DC; London, England, UK; Board of Trade: Commercial and Statistical Department and Successors: Inwards Passenger Lists; Class: Bt26; Piece: 917; Item: 9
    Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 1518 #10398615 (accessed 7 December 2023)
    Name: Ralph Duard Richardson; Arrival Age: 26; Birth Date: abt 1903; Port of Departure: Natal, Brazil; Arrival Date: Aug 1929; Port of Arrival: Southampton, England; Ship Name: Armadale Castle; Shipping Line: Union-Castle Mail Steamship Company Ltd; Official Number: 118350
12. ↑ Ship:Wikipedia; SS Armadale Castle https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_Armadale_Castle (accessed 7 December 2023)
13. ↑ Great Britain Royal Aero Club Aviators; Certificates, 1910-1950:"Great Britain, Royal Aero Club Aviators’ Certificates, 1910-1950"
    Original data: Royal Aero Club. Royal Aero Club index cards and photographs are in the care of the Royal Air Force Museum, Hendon, London, England
    Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 1283 #9455 (accessed 6 December 2023)
    Name: Ralph David Richardson; Birth Date: 19 Dec 1902; Birth Location: Cheltenham
14. ↑ Passenger List:"UK and Ireland, Incoming Passenger Lists, 1878-1960"
    The National Archives in Washington, DC; London, England, UK; Board of Trade: Commercial and Statistical Department and Successors: Inwards Passenger Lists; Class: Bt26; Piece: 1105; Item: 28
    Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 1518 #14315034 (accessed 7 December 2023)
    Name: Ralph D Richardson; Arrival Age: 33; Birth Date: abt 1903; Port of Departure: New York, New York, USA; Arrival Date: 15 Jan 1936; Port of Arrival: Southampton, England; Ports of Voyage: New York and Cherbourg; Ship Name: Aquitania; Shipping Line: Cunard White Star; Official Number: 135583
15. ↑ Ship:Wikipedia; RMS Aquitania https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RMS_Aquitania (accessed 7 December 2023)
16. ↑ 1939 Register:"1939 England and Wales Register"
    The National Archives; Kew, London, England; 1939 Register; Reference: Rg 101/456i; Line Number: 26; Schedule Number: 67; Sub Schedule Number: 1
    Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 61596 #8328977 (accessed 6 December 2023)
    Ralph D Richardson (born Dec 1902), married, Actor, in Flat 29, St Marylebone, London, England
17. ↑ "England and Wales Death Registration Index 1837-2007," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVCH-6V72 : 4 September 2014), Muriel Richardson, 1942; from "England & Wales Deaths, 1837-2006," database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing Death, Lewes, Sussex, England, General Register Office, Southport, England.
18. ↑ Burial:Find a Grave, database and images https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/35009346/muriel-bathia-richardson: (accessed 07 December 2023), memorial page for Muriel Bathia Hewitt Richardson (9 Sep 1907–4 Oct 1942), Find A Grave: Memorial #35009346, citing St. Peter & St. John the Baptist Churchyard, Wivelsfield, Lewes District, East Sussex, England; Maintained by CatMoves (contributor 46555522)
19. ↑ "Find A Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVK9-585Y : 11 July 2016), Muriel Bathia Hewitt Richardson, 1942; Burial, Wivelsfield, Lewes District, East Sussex, England, Wivelsfield Parish Churchyard; citing record ID 35009346, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com.
20. ↑ "England and Wales Marriage Registration Index, 1837-2005," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV8B-W3Y7 : 8 October 2014), Meriel Forbes-Robertson and null, 1944; from “England & Wales Marriages, 1837-2005,” database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing 1944, quarter 1, vol. 1A, p. 635, Chelsea, London, England, General Register Office, Southport, England.
21. ↑ "England and Wales Birth Registration Index, 1837-2008," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV73-PRFS : 1 October 2014), Charles D Richardson, 1945; from "England & Wales Births, 1837-2006," database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing Birth Registration, Marylebone, London, England, citing General Register Office, Southport, England.
22. ↑ Passenger List:"UK and Ireland, Outward Passenger Lists, 1890-1960"
    The National Archives; Kew, Surrey, England; BT27 Board of Trade: Commercial and Statistical Department and Successors: Outwards Passenger Lists; Reference Number: Series BT27-164282
    Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 2997 #143971602 (accessed 7 December 2023)
    Name: Ralph Richardson; Gender: Male; Departure Age: 46; Birth Date: abt 1902; Departure Date: 2 Jun 1948; Departure Port: England; Ship Name: Queen Mary; Shipping Line: Cunard White Star Limited; Destination Port: New York, USA; Master: C G Illingworth
23. ↑ Ship:Wikipedia; RMS Queen Mary https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RMS_Queen_Mary (accessed 6 December 2023)
24. ↑ Passenger List:"New York, New York Passenger and Crew Lists, 1909, 1925-1957," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVP8-ZSTT : 3 October 2015), Ralph D Richardson, 1948; citing Immigration, New York, New York, United States, NARA microfilm publication T715 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d
25. ↑ Passenger List:"UK and Ireland, Incoming Passenger Lists, 1878-1960"
    The National Archives in Washington, DC; London, England, UK; Board of Trade: Commercial and Statistical Department and Successors: Inwards Passenger Lists; Class: Bt26; Piece: 1380; Item: 110
    Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 1518 #6156789 (accessed 6 December 2023)
    Name: Ralph Richardson; Arrival Age: 54; Birth Date: 19 Dec 1902; Port of Departure: New York, New York, USA; Arrival Date: 20 May 1957; Port of Arrival: Southampton, England; Ports of Voyage: New York; Ship Name: Queen Elizabeth; Shipping Line: Cunard Steamship Company Ltd; Official Number: 7601/01
26. ↑ Ship:Wikipedia; RMS Queen Elizabeth https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RMS_Queen_Elizabeth (accessed 6 December 2023)
27. ↑ https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-G5BW-XSM?i=97&cc=1932363
28. ↑ Obituary:Western Daily Press, Bristol, Avon, England, United Kingdom, Tuesday, 11 October 1983, Page 1; Sir Ralph Genius of Theatre, Dies at 80 https://www.newspapers.com/article/western-daily-press-obituary-for-ralph-s/136374195/ (accessed 6 December 2023)
29. ↑ Obituary Continued:Western Daily Press, Bristol, Avon, England, United Kingdom, Tuesday, 11 October 1983, Page 12; A True Knight of the Theatre https://www.newspapers.com/article/western-daily-press/136376032/ (accessed 6 December 2023)
30. ↑ Obituary Continued:Western Daily Press, Bristol, Avon, England, United Kingdom, Tuesday, 11 October 1983, Page 13 https://www.newspapers.com/article/western-daily-press/136376225/ (accessed 6 December 2023)
31. ↑ "England and Wales Death Registration Index 1837-2007," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVZ7-LFY9 : 4 September 2014), Ralph David Richardson, 1983; from "England & Wales Deaths, 1837-2006," database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing Death Registration, Westminster, London, England, General Register Office, Southport, England.
32. ↑ "United States, GenealogyBank Obituaries, 1980-2014," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV53-6F5T : 10 September 2016), Sir Ralph Richardson, Florida, United States, 11 Oct 1983; from "Recent Newspaper Obituaries (1977 - Today)," database, GenealogyBank.com (http://www.genealogybank.com : 2014); citing , born-digital text.
33. ↑ Burial:Find a Grave, database and images https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/1449/ralph-richardson: (accessed 2 January 2021), memorial page for Sir Ralph Richardson (19 Dec 1902–10 Oct 1983), Find A Grave: Memorial #1449, citing Highgate Cemetery East, Highgate, London Borough of Camden, Greater London, England; Maintained by Find a Grave
34. ↑ Death Registration:"England & Wales Death Index"
    FreeBMD Entry Information (accessed 6 December 2023)
    Richardson, Ralph David (Date of birth: 19 DE 1902).
    GRO Reference: 1983 Oct-Nov-Dec in Westminster Volume 15 Page 1678
35. ↑ Probate:"England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995"
    Original data: Principal Probate Registry. Calendar of the Grants of Probate and Letters of Administration made in the Probate Registries of the High Court of Justice in England
    Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 1904 #25177455 (accessed 6 December 2023)
    Sir Ralph David Richardson probate on 6 Apr 1984 in London. Died 10 Oct 1983 in London
36. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ralph_Richardson#1975.E2.80.9383
37. ↑ "England and Wales Death Registration Index 1837-2007," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVZF-K3RP : 4 September 2014), Lady Meriel E F Richardson, Apr 2000; from "England & Wales Deaths, 1837-2006," database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing Death Registration, Westminster, London, England, General Register Office, Southport, England.
38. ↑ "Find A Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVKC-2ZZ4 : 13 December 2015), Meriel Forbes, 2000; Burial, Highgate, London Borough of Camden, Greater London, England, Highgate Cemetery (East); citing record ID 42146027, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com.
39. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #42146168

See also:

wikipedia.org/wiki/Ralph_Richardson

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1362706/Revealed-the-unacceptable-face-of-Sir-Ralph-Richardson.html

http://www.encyclopedia.com/people/literature-and-arts/theater-biographies/sir-ralph-richardson

Sir Ralph Richardson on FamilySearch.