University of Chicago Library

Guide to the Leonie Leslie. Correspondence 1902-1935

Descriptive Summary

Title:	Leslie, Leonie. Correspondence
Dates:	1902-1935
Size:	0.5 linear feet (1 box)
Repository:	Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center University of Chicago Library 1100 East 57th Street Chicago, Illinois 60637 U.S.A.
Abstract:	This collection contains letters sent by members of the British royal family and nobility and the Swedish royal family to Leonie Leslie. Much of the correspondence concerns family news and impressions of current events.

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Citation

When quoting material from this collection, the preferred citation is: Leslie, Leonie. Correspondence, [Box #, Folder #], Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library

Biographical Note

Leonie Leslie was born in 1859 in France, to American parents, Leonard Jerome and Clarissa Hall. She married Sir John Leslie, member of a prominent Anglo-Irish family. Leonie Leslie's son, Sir John Randolph (Shane) Leslie, was a notable Irish nationalist and author; her sister Jenny married Randolph Churchill and was the mother of Winston Churchill. Leonie Leslie died in 1943.

Scope Note

The collection contains letters sent by members of the British royal family and nobility and the Swedish royal family to Leonie Leslie. Much of the correspondence concerns family news and impressions of current events.

The letters include those to Leslie from H.R.H. Princess Louise of Argyle (1848-1939), fourth daughter of Queen Victoria, and from H.R.H. Princess Beatrice (1857-1944), Queen Victoria's fifth daughter. The majority of this correspondence concerns family news.

Another group of letters were written to Leslie from the Duchess of Connaught (formerly H.R.H. Princess Louise Margaret, third daughter of H.R.H. Prince Frederick of Prussia, who on March 13, 1879, married Queen Victoria's third son, Arthur William Patrick Albert, the Duke of Connaught). In her letters, the Duchess writes of the jealousy shown by King Edward VII toward his brother, the Duke of Connaught, and the Duke's consequent struggles to attain and maintain high office. She also gives a vivid portrait of their social life and freely expresses her opinions to Lady Leslie. The Duchess' letters begin in 1904, when the Duke was Commander in Chief in Ireland, and the Letters continue to 1916, when he completed his duties as Vice Reine or Governor General of Cadanda (1911-1915).

Following this set of correspondence is a letter (March 22, 1906) from the Duke of Connaught's son, Arthur, the second Duke of Connaught, in which he gives his impressions about his visit with the Mikado of Japan.

Additional letters were sent to Leslie from Princess Margaret or "Daisy," daughter of the Duke of Connaught, who married King Gustaf VI of Sweden in 1905. These letters, written between 1903-1917, tell of her life in Sweden and are a record of her impressions of current events and family matters.

The last two sets of letters are written by Princess Louise of Battenberg (1889-1965), who married King Gustaf VI in 1923, after Princess "Daisy's" death in 1920, and by King Gustaf VI.

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Subject Headings

Leslie, Leonie, 1859-1943

INVENTORY

Box 1 Folder 1

Princess Louise of Argyle (1848-1939) to Lady Leonie Leslie

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March 2, 1919, Kensington Palace, W.8. 1 p. ALS, Thank you for sending address of people who are stained glass artists in Ireland.
July 2, 1921 Kensington Palace, W.8. 1 p. ALS, Expression of sympathy on the death of Lady Randolph.
ca. 1920's, Kensington Palace, W.8. 1 p. ALS, Pleased to hear Lady Leslie is better. Invites her to small dinner party at which the Duke (Duke of Connaught), Patsy (his daughter) and Alec will attend.
May 13, 1932, Kensington Palace, W.8. 1 p. ALS, Sympathy for eye trouble.
January 26, 1935, Kensington Palace, W.8. 1 p. ALS, Thank you for photograph and roses, and sympathy for loss of Lady Leslie's sister.
October 23, ca. 1935, Kensington Palace, W.8. 2 p. ALS, Death of Sir Fritz Ponsonby. Storms in Western Scotland. Illness of Brother. Recommendations to Royal School.
undated, 1 p. ALS, Talks about the Duke's illness.

Box 1 Folder 2

Princess Beatrice (1857-1944) to Lady Leonie Leslie

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July 2, 1921, Kensington Palace (Clock Court). 1 p. ALS, Expression of sympathy on the death of Lady Randolph.
Christmas, 1925, Christmas card with photograph of Princess Beatrice.
June 28, 1925, Kensington Palace (Clock Court). 1 p. ALS, Expression of sympathy for loss of Lady Leslie's Mother-in-Law.
October 3, 1929, Carisbrroke Castle, Newpoet, Isle of Wight. 1 p. ALS, Lady Leslie's son's wedding.
December 31, 1930, Kensington Palace, W.8. 1 p. ALS, Thanks for book The Epic of Jutland.
January 2, 1930, Kensington Palace, W.8. 1 p. ALS, Family news and political unrest.
March 3, 1942, Villa Santo Manro, San Remo, Italy. 1 p. ALS, Operation on Lady Leslie's eye.

Box 1 Folder 3

Duchess of Connaught (formerly Princess Louise Margaret Alexandra Victoria Agnes, third daughter of Prince Frederick of Prussia) to Lady Leonie Leslie.

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June 20, (1902?), Clarence House. 2 p. ALS, Snubbed and rudely treated by Queen Alexandra and Party at the Ascot Races.
September 25, 1902, Royal Hospital, Bublin. 1 p. ALS, Lord Dudley arrives as Viceroy.
November 7, 1902, Royal Hospital, Dublin. 2 p. ALS, Clothing and what one should take to India.
November 13, 1902, Royal Hospital, Dublin. 2 p. ALS, Instructions to buy her clothes in Paris.
April 7, 1903, Royal Hospital, Dublin. 2 p. ALS
July 11, 1903, Curragh Camp, Co. Kildare. 1 p. ALS
July 17, 1903, Curragh Camp, Co. Kildare. 2 p. ALS
December 27. 1903, Royal Hospital, Dublin. 2 p. ALS, American vs. English countryhouse life.
January 1, 1904, Rockingham Boyle (Ireland). 1 p. ALS
March 22, 1904, Royal Hospital, Dublin. 1 p. ALS
April 19, 1904, Royal Hospital, Dublin. 1 p. ALS, Problems being Commander in Chief in Ireland.
May 30, (1904?), Clarence House. 2 p. ALS, Impressions of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra.
September 4, 1904, Osborne Cottage, East Cowes, Isle of Wight. 3 p. ALS, Her old home has been turned into a home for invalid officers - nostalgic letter.
November 15, 1904, Windsor Castle. 2 p. ALS, Reprimands Lady Leslie for thinking that she is not cared for.
November 17, 1904, Windsor Castle. 1 p. ALS
December 4, (1904?), Crichel, Wimborne. 1 p. ALS

Box 1 Folder 4

Duchess of Connaught to Leslie Continued

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January 1, 1905, Clarence House. 1 p. ALS, King Alfonso of Spain wishes to court Patsy, daughter of Duke and Duchess of Connaught, and he is pleased at the prospect of their coming visit.
January 7, 1905, Paco de Belem. 2 p. ALS, Activities and impressions of Spain. Wishes King of Spain would court Patsy.
January 17, 1905, Granada. 1 p. ALS, Embarrassment because people in Lisbon treat Patsy, the younger daughter, as future Queen of Spain.
January 28, 1905, 1 p. ALS
February 2, 1905, Abdin Palace, (Cairo). 1 p. ALS, Princess Margaret "Daisy," older daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Connaught, is in love.
March 15, 1905, Malta. 1 p. ALS, Activities and Princess Daisy's engagement to Gustaf.
June 25, (1905), Clarence House. 1 p. ALS, Duke badly treated by those in power.
January 17, 1906, Government House, Cape Town. 2 p. ALS, Activities and impressions.
June 18, 1906, Drottningholms Slott, (Sweden), Birth of grandson, about visit with Daisy and Gustaf.
September 4, (1907?), Dunrobin Castle, Sutherland. 1 p. ALS
September 8, 1907, Dunrobin Castle, Sutherland. 2 p. ALS
September 13, 1907, Sent from Mouth of the Ganges. 1 p. ALS
October 20, 1907, 1 p. ALS, Concerns Queen Victoria's letters.
November 15, 1907, Windsor Castle. 1 p. ALS
September 25, 1908, Balmoral Castle. 1 p. ALS
February 18, 1909, Abdin Palace (Cairo). 2 p. ALS, Activities and people.
ca. 1910 Government House, Salisbury, Rhodesia. 1 p. ALS
March 18, 1910, 15th Camp near Mara River. 1 p. ALS, Talk of holiday, outdoor life, hunting and "marching."

Box 1 Folder 5

Duchess of Connaught to Leslie Continued

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August 14, 1911, Bagshot Park, Surrey. 2 p. ALS, Indiscreet letter criticizing King Edward's actions.
October 22, 1911, Government House, Ottawa. 2 p. ALS, First letter to Lady Leslie after arrival in Canada as Governor-General. Gives her first impressions.
November, 1911, Government House, Ottawa. 2 p. TLS, Settling in new house.
November 13, 1911, Government House, Ottawa. 2 p. TLS, Preparation for opening of Parliament. Criticizes predecessors (Greys). Talks of friends and acquaintances.
November 22, 1911, Ottawa. 1 p. TLS, Describes social functions and ladies dressed for the occasion.
December 17, 1911, Ottawa. 1 p. TLS, Problems and official visit to Montreal. French maid trouble. Gustaf's appendicitis.
March 22, 1912, Government House, Ottawa. 1 p. TLS, Knighting of Governor of Ontario - personal remarks about him. Red Cross classes, skating, amused by Lady Warwick's failure.
April 18, 1912, Government House, Ottawa. 1 p. TLS, Titanic, activities in Canada and guests.
March 21, 1914, Government House, Ottawa. 1 p. TLS, Mrs. Evie Bulkely - Lady-in-Waiting scandal.
September 22, 1914, Government House, Ottawa. 1 p. TLS, Discusses World War I.
October 10, 1914, Government House, Ottawa. 1 p. TLS World War I, despairs that she cannot do anything to help. Staff problems and talk of friends.
December 11, 1914, Government House, Ottawa. 1 p. ALS World War I.
November 20, 1914, Government House, Ottawa. 1 p. ALS Regrets that she is German Born, worries of the Duke and visit.
February 18, 1915, Government House, Ottawa. 1 p. ALS Complains that she does nothing, but knit, war, Lord Richmond.
April 15, 1915, Government House, Ottawa. 1 p. ALS War and Duke's activities.
December 30, 1915, Government House, Ottawa. 2 p. ALS Thanks for book, talks of Patsy, Duke's health, and Lord Richmond.
May 3, 1916, Government House Ottawa. 1 p. ALS Happy Birthday wishes, war, and arrival of successor, the Duke of Devonshire.

Box 1 Folder 6

Letter to the Duke of Connaught from his son Prince Arthur.

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March 22, 1906, R.M.S. "Empress of Japan." 1 p. ALS Reports on his Japanese mission to the Mikado and tells of his impressions.

Box 1 Folder 7

Letters to Lady Leonie Leslie from Princess Margaret of "Daisy," daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Connaught. In 1905 Princess Daisy married Gustaf VI of Sweden. (1882-1950).

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undated, 1 page fragment. TLS, Visit from her brother, Arthur. Letter written after birth of four children.
undated (1912?) 1 page fragment. TLS, Relates incident concerning Ethel Smyth, a suffragette.
September 11, (1909?), 1 postcard with picture of Daisy, Gustaf and two children. Mentions "Winston's" (Churchill) wedding.
January 29, 1903, Clarence House. 1 p. ALS
March 10, 1905, H.M.S. Essex. 1 p. ALS Her happiness, writes about Gustaf's courtship, and how sad her Mother is that she is leaving.
August 7, 1905, Helsingborg. 2 p. ALS How happy she is with Gustaf. Arranging house in Sweden, meeting new people, political situation, her Mother and Father.
January 25, 1906, Stockholm. 1 p. ALS, Her activities and baby boy.
February 25, 1906, Stockholm. 1 p. ALS Expecting another baby, news about her family and Gustaf's activities.
Sunday (?) Bagshot Park, Surrey. 1 p. ALS, On vacation in England.
August 13, 1909, Bagshot Park, Surrey. 1 p. ALS, Help for English charities in Stockholm.
December 31, 1909, 1 p. ALS, Her sister, Patsy, in Sweden for a visit.
February 14, 1910, (Stockholm). 1 p. ALS, Father-in-Law's illness and Gustaf's responsibilities.
April 23, 1911, Stockholm. 2 p. ALS, Request Lady Leslie's help to obtain clothes for her boys for their visit to England.
April 1, 1912, (Stockholm). 2 p. TLS, Birth of third son, Prince Bertil. Talk of suffragettes, friends and Gustaf.
November 10, 1913, Stockholm. 2 p. TLS, About her children and her brother, Arthur.
January 2, 1914, Stockholm. 1 p. ALS, Sickness in family.
October 27, 1915, Stockholm. 3 p. TLS, Family's writing habits and war news.
November 13, 1915, Stockholm. 1 p. ALS
December 2, 1916, Stockholm. 1 p. TLS
March 23, 1917, (Stockholm). 2 p. ALS, Mother's death.
April 14, 1917, Stockholm. 3 p. TLS, Mother's death. Cannot leave Sweden because of war. Her sister, Patsy, and her romantic entanglements.
May 8, 1917, Stockholm. 1 p. TLS

Box 1 Folder 8

Letter to the Duke of Connaught from Princess Louise of Battenberg, who in 1923 married King Gustaf VI after Princess Daisy's death in 1920.

June 27, (1923?), Kensington Palace. 1 p. ALS Thanks the Duke for his visit and tells him how touched she was. Promises to be a real and true friend to his daughter's (Daisy) children.

Box 1 Folder 9

Letters to Lady Leonie Leslie from King Gustaf VI.

August 31, 1920, Bagshot Park, Surrey. 1 p. ALS
April 19, 1930, Stockholm. 1 p. ALS
November 19, 1932, Kensignton Palace. 2 p. ALS Cannot believe he has a daughter-in-law.
November 9, (1932?), Kensington Palace. 1 p. ALS