Lawrence, Marjorie (1909-1979)

Also known as
Lawrence, Marjorie Florence (1907-1979)
Lawrence, Marjorie Florence (1909-1979)
Field of activity
Singer and Soprano; autobiographer/memoirist; soprano
Libraries Australia
http://nla.gov.au/anbd.aut-an35198703
NLA Persistent Identifier
http://nla.gov.au/nla.party-484686

Biographies

LAWRENCE, MARJORIE FLORENCE (1907-1979), dramatic soprano, was born on 17 February 1907 at Dean's Marsh, near Winchelsea, Victoria, fifth of six children of William Lawrence, butcher and fiddler, and his wife Elizabeth, née Smith, church organist, who died when Marjorie was 2. Reared by her paternal grandmother until she too died, Marjorie was educated at local schools; from the age of 10 she was a regular soloist. Her musical tastes were refined by the local Anglican parson and gramophone records of Nellie Melba and Clara Butt. At 18, despite her father's opposition, she left for Melbourne with her brother Cyril in search of work, paying Ivor Boustead to train her voice—she never had to unlearn anything he taught. Forced home by impecuniousness, she failed to gain a place in the Ballarat South Street competitions, but at Geelong in 1928 won the Sun Aria contest.

View the full record at Australian Dictionary of Biography Online

Opera singer Marjorie Lawrence contracted poliomyelitis in 1941 and was almost crippled in both legs, but continued to perform using a wheel chair placed on stage. During World War II she entertained the troops and was awarded the cross of the Legion d’ Honneur (1946) by the French government. On 31 December 1976 Marjorie Lawrence was appointed Commander of the British Empire (CBE) for her services to the performing arts.

  • 1928 Winner of the Sun Aria Competition
  • 1932 Performed with the Paris Grand Opera Company as Ortrud in Lohengrin
  • 1932 Debut with Monte Carlo Opera Company as Elisabeth in Tannhauser
  • 1935 Performed with the Metropolitan Opera Company New York as Brunnhilde
  • 1939 Completed a concert tour of Australia, performing at Winchelsea, Victoria first
  • 1941 Contracted poliomyelitis while in Mexico
  • 29 March 1941 Married Dr Thomas King, New York
  • 1942 First public appearance as Venus in Tannhauser at the Metropolitan
  • 1944 Entertained troops in Australia and South West Pacific (50,000 miles wheel concert tour)
  • 1945 Entertained troops in Europe
  • 1960 - Professor of Voice and Opera Workshop, Southern Illinois University
  • 1971 Opera Theatre Southern Illinois University named for Marjorie Lawrence

View the full record at Australian Women's Register

Marjorie Florence Lawrence. Singer and soprano. Born: 17 February 1909, Dean's Marsh, Victoria, Australia. Died: 14 January 1979.

View the full record at Libraries Australia

Related people and organisations

Resources for Marjorie Lawrence

Selected resources (8)

Australian Dictionary of Biography Online

  1. 'Lawrence, Marjorie Florence (1907 - 1979)' - Australian Dictionary of Biography
    Helga M. Griffin
    [1986]
    Published: Melbourne University Press
    Series: Volume 10
    pp 14-15.

Australian Women's Register

  1. Lawrence, Marjorie Florence (1907 - 1979)Australian Dictionary of Biography Online : Lawrence, Marjorie Florence (1907 - 1979)
    Griffin, Helga M.
    [2006]
    Published: Australian National University
    Series: http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A100013b.htm
  2. Faith, Hope and Charity Australian Women and Imperial Honours: 1901-1989
    Australian Women's Archives Project
    [2003]
    Published: Australian Women's Archives Project
    Series: http://www.womenaustralia.info/exhib/honours/honours.html
  3. Women Make Australian History : Women in Wartime 1914-1918, 1939-1945
    Dugan, Michael and Gunter, Anne
    [1996]
    Published: Macmillan
  4. Who's who in Australia, 1971
    Legge, J S
    [1971]
    Published: The Herald and Weekly Times
  5. Monash Biographical Dictionary of 20th Century Australia
    Arnold, John and Morris, Deirdre
    [1994]
    Published: Reed Reference Publishing
  6. National Library of Australia Manuscript Collection: Lawrence, Marjorie 1908?-1979 Papers [manuscript] (1938 - 1968)
    The collection comprises concert, opera and lecture programmes, journal articles, publicity material and programmes for productions directed by Miss Lawrence or staged by her pupils. There are some references to Percy Grainger in the publicity material.
    MS 7225
  7. National Library of Australia: Great Australian women of the 20th century
    Contains biographies of 500 Australian women; an historical timeline covering 120 years; curriculum worksheets for teachers. 1 computer laser optical disc ; 4 3/4 in. CD-ROM. System requirements: Windows PC only, 486/66 processor with 8 MB of RAM, Windows 3.1 or Windows 95, double speed CDROM drive, 256 colour SVGA video card.
    Nmt 2843

Resources by Marjorie Lawrence (19)

  1. Interrupted melody : an autobiography / by Marjorie Lawrence
    Lawrence, Marjorie, 1909-1979
    [ Book : 1900-1949 ]
    At 29 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 40.059)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 40.059)

  2. Interrupted melody : the story of my life / by Marjorie Lawrence
    Lawrence, Marjorie, 1909-1979
    [ Book : 1949-1968 ]
    At 10 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 27.213)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 27.213)

  3. Papers
    Lawrence, Marjorie, 1909-1979
    [ Unpublished : 1938-1968 ]
    At National Library
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 18.144)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 18.144)

  4. Marjorie Lawrence (1909-1979)
    Lawrence, Marjorie, 1909-1979
    [ Sound : 1989 ]
    Languages: French
    At 2 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 13.943)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 13.943)

  5. Commonwealth Jubilee celebrations 1951 official concert : presented by the Australian Broadcasting Commission on behalf of the Commonwealth Government, in the presence of his excellency, the governor-general : Sydney Symphony Orchestra conducted by E...
    Wheeler, John
    [ Book : 1951 ]
    At National Library
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 8.546)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 8.546)

  6. Marjorie Lawrence [interview]
    Lawrence, Marjorie, 1909-1979
    [ Sound ]
    At NFSA
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 5.602)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 5.602)

  7. This day is mine / words and music by Harriet Ware
    Ware, Harriet
    [ Sheet music : 1942 ]
    At 3 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 5.142)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 5.142)

  8. Marjorie Lawrence
    Lawrence, Marjorie, 1909-1979
    [ Sound : 1970-1989 ]
    Languages: French, English
    At 3 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 4.852)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 4.852)

  9. Marjorie Lawrence sings for the boys
    Lawrence, Marjorie, 1909-1979
    [ Sound : 1945 ]
    Languages: English, Maori
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 3.682)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 3.682)

  10. Waltzing Matilda / Cowan. God bless Australia / Stewart
    Cowan, Marie
    [ Sound : 1941 ]
    View online
    At 2 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 2.657)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 2.657)

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Resources about Marjorie Lawrence (19)

  1. Interrupted melody : an autobiography / by Marjorie Lawrence
    Lawrence, Marjorie, 1909-1979
    [ Book : 1900-1949 ]
    At 29 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 38.919)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 38.919)

  2. Interrupted melody : the story of my life / by Marjorie Lawrence
    Lawrence, Marjorie, 1909-1979
    [ Book : 1949-1968 ]
    At 10 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 26.37)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 26.37)

  3. Papers
    Lawrence, Marjorie, 1909-1979
    [ Unpublished : 1938-1968 ]
    At National Library
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 17.939)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 17.939)

  4. [Biographical cuttings on Marjorie Lawrence, opera singer, containing one or more cuttings from newspapers or journals]
    [ Published : 1900-1990 ]
    At National Library
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 16.884)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 16.884)

  5. [Biographical cuttings on Marjorie Lawrence, former soprano, containing one or more cuttings from newspapers or journals]
    [ Published : 1900-1990 ]
    At National Library
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 16.858)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 16.858)

  6. [Margaret Stewart's photograph collection of Deans Marsh, Victoria and Marjorie Lawrence]
    [ Photograph : 1905-1946 ]
    Possibly online
    At National Library
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 10.302)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 10.302)

  7. Commonwealth Jubilee celebrations 1951 official concert : presented by the Australian Broadcasting Commission on behalf of the Commonwealth Government, in the presence of his excellency, the governor-general : Sydney Symphony Orchestra conducted by E...
    Wheeler, John
    [ Book : 1951 ]
    At National Library
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 8.533)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 8.533)

  8. Marjorie Lawrence. La Walkyrie
    [ Photograph : 1981 ]
    At National Library
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 7.501)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 7.501)

  9. Marjorie Lawrence standing draped with a veil
    [ Photograph : 1981 ]
    At National Library
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 7.464)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 7.464)

  10. Portrait of Marjorie Lawrence
    Vincent Attractions, Inc
    [ Photograph : 1947 ]
    View online
    At National Library
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 7.449)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 7.449)

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  1. Lawrence from Cambridge to Brisbane
    Created by klaude, 75 items.

    William Henry Lawrence and Joseph Samuel Lawrence, brothers born Cambridge, England who settled in Ipswich and Brisbane.

  2. St Lawrence School History
    Created by bindyeye, 31 items.

    St Lawrence State School burnt to the ground recently and alot of shool and local history with it.

  3. Marjorie andKeith
    Created by glenniah, 1 item.

  1. Lawrence, Marjorie (1909-1979)
    autobiographer/memoirist; soprano
    ... Marjorie Florence Lawrence. Singer and soprano. Born: 17 February 1909, Dean's Marsh, Victoria ...
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 1.928)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 1.928)

  2. Blair, Harold (1924-1976)
    ... noticed by local businessmen who gained him an audience with the famous soprano Marjorie Lawrence. She ...
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0)

  3. Winchelsea and District Historical Records Centre
    ... array of Marjorie Lawrence memorabilia and microfiche collections of former Shire of Winchelsea ...
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0)

  1. Website: Australian Women in War
    www.womenaustralia.info
    Matching pages:
    View 33 matching archived pages
    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.065)

    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.065)

  2. Website: Australian Women's Archives Project
    www.womenaustralia.info
    Matching pages:
    View 48 matching archived pages
    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.049)

    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.049)

  3. Website: Putting skirts on the sacred benches : women candidates for the New South Wales Parliament
    www.womenaustralia.info
    Matching pages:
    View 8 matching archived pages
    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.046)

    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.046)

  1. Lawrence, Marjorie
    Current Biography
    [ Article : 1979 ]
    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.222)

    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.222)

  2. Marjorie Lawrence. (obituary)
    Robinson, Francis
    Opera News
    [ Article : 1979 ]
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.175)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.175)

  3. Marjorie Lawrence : soprano - Metropolitan Opera
    [ Article ]
    View online
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.173)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.173)

  4. Marjorie Lawrence : Metropolitan Opera Association
    [ Article : 1939 ]
    View online
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.173)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.173)

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  1. [Biographical cuttings on Gwendoline Marjorie Lawrence, early resident of Narrandera, containing one or more cuttings from newspapers or journals]
    [ Published : 1900-1990 ]
    At National Library
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.192)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.192)

  2. [Lawrence, Marjorie (singer) : programs and related material collected by the National Library of Australia]
    [ Published : 1900 ]
    At National Library
    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.05)

    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.05)

  3. Papers
    Stewart, Margaret
    [ Unpublished : 1977-1981 ]
    At National Library
    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.033)

    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.033)

  1. Marjorie Lawrence 1939
    Lawrence, Marjorie
    [ Book : 1939 ]
    At Monash Uni Library
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.352)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.352)

  2. Women in love / D.H. Lawrence
    Lawrence, D. H. (David Herbert), 1885-1930
    Essays in Criticism
    [ Book, Audio book, Article : 1920-2011 ]
    Languages: English, Chinese, Spanish, [2 others]
    read online at Open Library/Internet Archive
    View online
    At 121 libraries
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.295)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.295)

  3. Interrupted melody, an autobiography / by Marjorie Lawrence
    Lawrence, Marjorie, 1908?-1979
    [ Book : 1949 ]
    At NT Library
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.28)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.28)

  4. Interrupted melody : the story of my life / by Marjorie Lawrence
    Lawrence, Marjorie, 1908?-1979
    [ Book : 1949 ]
    At NFSA Library
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.246)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.246)

  1. Women in love / D.H. Lawrence
    Lawrence, D. H. (David Herbert), 1885-1930
    Essays in Criticism
    [ Book, Audio book, Article : 1920-2011 ]
    Languages: English, Chinese, Spanish, [2 others]
    read online at Open Library/Internet Archive
    View online
    At 121 libraries
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.295)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.295)

  2. Polly and the wolf again / Catherine Storr illustrated by Marjorie-Ann Watts
    Storr, Catherine
    [ Book, Audio book : 1957-2011 ]
    At 18 libraries
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.162)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.162)

  3. A tale of two cities / Charles Dickens
    Dickens, Charles (1812-1870)
    [ Book, Audio book, Article : 1800-2011 ]
    Languages: English, Chinese, Arabic, [14 others]
    read online at Open Library/Internet Archive
    View online
    At 148 libraries
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.141)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.141)

  4. Marjorie Lawrence
    [ Sound : 1939 ]
    At UWA - Callaway
    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.078)

    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.078)

  1. MARJORIE LAWRENCE
    The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954) Saturday 11 January 1947 p 3 Article
    ... MARJORIE LAWRENCE LONDON, Jan. 10 (A.A.P.).-The Australian singer, Miss Marjorie Lawrence, rence, left Paris yesterday in a French plane for. New York. ... 22 words
    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 1.874)

    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 1.874)

  2. MARJORIE LAWRENCE.
    Townsville Daily Bulletin (Qld. : 1885 - 1954) Saturday 28 June 1941 p 3 Article
    ... MARJORIE LAWRENCE. MEXICO CITY, June 26.-Dr. Zollinger Zol Unger said the Australian singer, Marjorie jorle Lawrence, was better, but was still confined to bed. ... 24 words
    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 1.874)

    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 1.874)

  3. MARJORIE LAWRENCE.
    The West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954) Saturday 11 January 1947 Edition: SECOND EDITION. p 6 Article
    ... MARJORIE LAWRENCE. LONDON, Jan. 10.-'The Australian lian soprano, Marjorie Lawrence, left Paris yesterday in an Air-France plane for New York, says the British United Press. ... 25 words
    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 1.869)

    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 1.869)