Lady Anne Tree

Lady Anne Evelyn Beatrice Tree (née Cavendish; 6 November 1927 – 9 August 2010) was a British philanthropist, prison visitor, prisoner rights activist, and the founder of the charity Fine Cell Work, which gives prisoners the opportunity to do worthwhile work and acquire useful job skills for life after prison.

Lady Anne Tree
Born
Lady Anne Evelyn Beatrice Cavendish

(1927-11-06)6 November 1927
Belgravia, London, England
Died9 August 2010(2010-08-09) (aged 82)
Compton Abbas, Dorset, England
NationalityBritish
Occupationphilanthropist, prison visitor, prisoner rights activist
Known forfounder of the charity Fine Cell Work
Spouse(s)Michael Lambert Tree
Children2
Parent(s)Edward Cavendish, 10th Duke of Devonshire
Lady Mary Gascoyne-Cecil
RelativesWilliam Cavendish, Marquess of Hartington (brother)
Andrew Cavendish, 11th Duke of Devonshire (brother)
Lady Mary Cavendish (sister)
Lady Elizabeth Cavendish (sister)
James Gascoyne-Cecil, 4th Marquess of Salisbury (grandfather)
Ronald Tree (father-in-law)
Nancy Lancaster (mother-in-law)
Kathleen Kennedy Cavendish (sister-in-law)

Early life

She was born Lady Anne Evelyn Beatrice Cavendish on 6 November 1927 at 2 Upper Belgrave Street, London, the third daughter of Edward Cavendish, 10th Duke of Devonshire (1895–1950), and his wife, Lady Mary Gascoyne-Cecil (1895–1988), granddaughter of Prime Minister Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury.[1]

Career

She first wanted to be a prison visitor at the age of 14, and took up this role from 1949 until 1974, although she struggled at first to gain access to women's prisons, so resorted to extensive letter writing and using her wide network of friends and relations.[1][2] One of the prisoners she regularly visited was Myra Hindley, and introduced Lord Longford to her.[1]

Lady Anne became very aware of how boring and pointless life in prison could seem, and founded the charity Fine Cell Work, which gives men and women in prison the opportunity to create intricately-detailed cushion covers, wall hangings and rugs.[1][3] She was keen on embroidery and needlework herself, and was confident that men would enjoy it too.[4] The designs are created by leading fashion designers, and the skilled work can be rewarding, and may lead to paid work on release.[3]

Personal life
Mereworth Castle, a postcard sent in 1911

On 3 November 1949, she married the artist Michael Lambert Tree (1921–1999), son of the politician Ronald Tree, and his wife Nancy Lancaster, a partner in the furnishings company Colefax and Fowler.[1] They had two adopted daughters.[5]

After the death of his uncle, Peter Beatty, on 26 October 1949, Tree inherited Mereworth Castle, Kent, where they lived subsequently.[6]

Later life

On 9 August 2010, she died of lung cancer at her home, Lower Lane House in Compton Abbas, Dorset.[1]

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References
  1. Colpus, Eve. "Tree [née Cavendish], Lady Anne Evelyn Beatrice (1927–2010)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Oxford University Press. Retrieved 25 November 2017.
  2. "Lady Anne Tree: Meet the aristocrat who's got prisoners in stitches". The Independent. 16 August 2009. Retrieved 25 November 2017.
  3. Stanford, Peter (20 August 2010). "Lady Anne Tree obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 November 2017 – via www.theguardian.com.
  4. "Lady Anne Tree". The Daily Telegraph. 13 August 2010. Retrieved 25 November 2017.
  5. "Lady Anne Tree". Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 25 November 2017.
  6. "British tax may topple castle of a Field heir". Chicago Tribune. 20 June 1952.
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