Violet Asquith

Violet was born in 1887, the 4th child of Henry Asquith and his first wife Helen. Her mother died when she was a child, and the 5 children were left motherless. Asquith had been devoted to his wife, but he was also busy with his political career. He fell in love soon after Helen's death with Margot Tennant, a socialite, and the daughter of a millionaire. Margot was flirtatious and attractive and had many suitors but she was reluctant at first to marry Asquith and take on his family. However she married him, and took pleasure in furthering his career. Violet did not get on well with her new stepmother who was jealous of Henry's affection for his daughter. Violet was educated privately by governesses, and then went to a finishing school in Dresden, to improve her languages. She came out in society, and had some offers of marriage. Her best friend was Venetia Stanley, who later would become a love of Asquith's. Violet was living in No 10 Downing St as her father had become Prime minister, and she was a keen supporter of the Liberals, though her friends included many Tories. Violet fell in love with Archie Gordon, son of the Liberal peer, Lord Aberdeen, but he was injured in a car accident. She became engaged to him but he died - and Violet was very depressed. However a little later, she married Maurice Bonham Carter, her fathers private secretary, and a Liberal.