Biographical Details on Boys' Clothing Styles: Sir Edward Montague Compton (Mackenzie) (Scotland, 1883-1972)


Figure 1.--.

Sir Edward Montague Compton (Mackenzie) was a prolific novelist and journalist who achieved literary success with over 40 popular novels. He became a strong proponent of Scottish nationalism. He was born in West Hartlepool on January 17, 1883, the son of actor, Edward Compton. His birth was entered in the parish register under his father's family name of Mackenzie but throughout his life he was always known to his friends as "Monty". In his memoir he recalls having to wear a Fauntleroy suit to a party. He was educated at St Paul's School and Magdalen College, Oxford. He studied for the English Bar, but because of his home background he was interested in the theatre and by a writing career. Much of his early work had been largely forgotten, but his wonderful Scottish novels are still fondly remembered and are considered an important contribution to Scottish fiction.

Birth

Sir Edward Montague Compton was born in West Hartlepool in England on January 17, 1883. Although he was born in England, he was very proud of his Sciottish heritage and came to increasingly see himself as a Scott as he had Scottish ancestry. His name was entered in the parish birth register under his father's family name of Mackenzie but throughout his life he was always known to his friends as "Monty". As an adult, he began using his family name "Mackenzie" as he returned to his Scottish roots.

Parents

He was the son of actor, Edward Compton. His mother was an American actress

Boyhood Clothing

At this time HBC has relatively little information on Edward's boyhood clothes. We do know that Compton recalls with considerable disgust in his memoir having to wear a Little Lord Fauntleroy suit to a party. Presumably this was the idea of his American mother. Mackenzie remembered in his memoirs, "... that confounded Little Lord Fauntleroy craze which led to my being given as a party dress the Fauntleroy costume of black velvet and Van Dyke collar." Although he is now seen as a Scottish writer, he grew up in England. I do not even know if he wore a kilt as a boy. That is a question HBC hopes to persue as other than the clothing of the royal family, we do not know how common it was in Briftain for boys to wear kilts in the 19th and early 20th century.

Education

Compton was educated at St Paul's School and Magdalen College, Oxford. He studied for the English Bar, but because of his home background he was interested in the theatre and by a writing career.

Early Career

Mackenzie's first novel, The Passionate Elopement was published in 1911, but was little noticed. Initially he wrote for the theatre. His first commercialm sucess was Sinister Street in 1913. It was loosely autobiographical, following the low-life adventures of the book's hero, Michael Fane, in London and Oxford. The book helped establish Mackenzie as one of the leading writers of his generation. Mackenzie thus embarked on a storied literary career which covered virtualy every form of literary work. Mackenzie wrote fiction, travel, biography, essays, poetry and journalism.

World War I (1914-18)

Like many of his generation, his life was marked by the Great War. He was an officer in the Royal Marines. served in Churchill's failed Gallipoli offensive. He worked for British intelligence in Greece. His war experiences resulted in two volumes of war memoirs and a novel, Extremes Meet in 1928.

Inter-War Era and War Years

Mackenzie's most prolific literary period was the inter-war era. His War-service has opened the Mediteranean to him. He lived on the Italian island of Capri. Between 1937 and 1945 he published his masterpiece, the sextet The Four Winds of Love which follows the adventures and romances of John Ogilvie--his most enduring heroes. He also wrote two entertaining novels. Vestal Fire in 1927 and Extraordinary Women in 1928.

He wrote a notable biography of President Roosevelt during World War II.

Scotland

Mackenzie moved to Scotland in 1928. He built a home which he called "Suidheachan" at Northbay on the island of Barra in the Outer Hebrides. (English and Scottish people often used to name their homes.) It was at this time that he committed himself to the cause of Scottish nationalism. He became a staunch nationalist, and was a founding member of the Scottish National Party. He was knighted in 1952.

Mackenzie after World War II authoried a series of wonderful, observant comedies on Scottish life. The most popular by far was Whisky Galore in 1947. Barra was the background for this, his most famous comedy of Scottish life. It was a fictional tale about the sinking of a ship laden with whisky on the island of Eriskay. It and another engaging novel, Rockets Galore published in 1957 were made into well-received movies. Perhaps the constant thred in Mackenzie's novels is his wonderful ability to produce produce rolicking farcical plots and entertaining dialogue.

He became a literary critic for the Daily Mail and a popular broadcaster.

Autobiography

Mackenzie in his later years wrote a massive 10 volumes autobiography My life and Times which he published between 1963-71). While not his most spirited work, it is a wonderful font of information about the times in which he lived.

Later Years

Mackenzie lived his final years in Edinburgh, in the city's historic Georgian New Town. He passed away November 30, 1972. He was buried at Eoligarry on the island of Barrato the sounds of bagpipes.

Sources

Dooley, D. T., Compton Mackenzie.

Linklater, A., Compton Mackenzie: A Life.






Christopher Wagner






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Created: July 25, 2001
Last updated: July 26, 2001